UMBRA

umbra

(noun) a region of complete shadow resulting from total obstruction of light

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

umbra (plural umbras or umbrae)

The fully shaded inner region of a shadow cast by an opaque object.

(astronomy) The area on the earth or moon experiencing the total phase of an eclipse.

(astronomy) The central region of a sunspot.

(chiefly, literary) A shadow.

(archaic) An uninvited guest brought along by one who was invited.

One of the family Umbridae of mudminnows.

A sciaenoid fish, the umbrine.

Coordinate terms

• antumbra

• penumbra

Anagrams

• Burma, rumba

Source: Wiktionary


Um"bra, n.; pl. Umbræ. Etym: [L., a shadow.]

1. (Astron.) (a) The conical shadow projected from a planet or satellite, on the side opposite to the sun, within which a spectator could see no portion of the sun's disk; -- used in contradistinction from penumbra. See Penumbra. (b) The central dark portion, or nucleus, of a sun spot. (c) The fainter part of a sun spot; -- now more commonly called penumbra.

2. (Zoöl.)

Definition: Any one of several species of sciænoid food fishes of the genus Umbrina, especially the Mediterranean species (U. cirrhosa), which is highly esteemed as a market fish; -- called also ombre, and umbrine. Umbra tree (Bot.), a tree (Phytolacca diocia) of the same genus as pokeweed. It is native of South America, but is now grown in southern Europe. It has large dark leaves, and a somber aspect. The juice of its berries is used for coloring wine. J. Smith (Dict. Econ. Plants).

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

2 April 2025

COVERT

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