shadow

Shadows on the beach

Meanings

Noun

Verb

Adjective

  • Unofficial, informal, unauthorized, but acting as though it were.
  • Having power or influence, but not widely known or recognized.
  • Acting in a leadership role before being formally recognized.
  • Part of, or related to, the opposition in government.

Origin

  • From Middle English schadowe, schadewe, schadwe (also schade > shade), from Old English sċeaduwe, sċeadwe, oblique form of sċeadu, from Proto-West Germanic *skadu, from Proto-Germanic *skadwaz ("shade, shadow"), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ḱeh₃- ("darkness").
  • Cognate with Scots scaddow, schaddow, Saterland Frisian Skaad ("shade, shadow"), Dutch schaduw ("shadow"), German Schatten ("shadow, shade"), Norwegian skodde ("fog, mist"), Irish scáth ("shadow"), Ancient Greek σκότος ("darkness, gloom").

Modern English dictionary

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