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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary pen·um·bra \\pə-ˈnəm-brə\\ noun (plural pen·um·brae \\-(ˌ)brē, -ˌbrī \\ ; or -bras) ETYMOLOGY New Latin, from Latin paene almost + umbrashadow — more at umbrage DATE 1666 1. a. a space of partial illumination (as in an eclipse) between the perfect shadow on all sides and the full light b. a shaded region surrounding the dark central portion of a sunspot 2. a surrounding or adjoining region in which something exists in a lesser degree : fringe 3. a body of rights held to be guaranteed by implication in a civil constitution 4. something that covers, surrounds, or obscures : shroud a penumbra of secrecy a penumbra of somber dignity has descended over his reputation — James Atlas • pen·um·bral \\-brəl\\ adjective English Etymology penumbra 1666, from Mod.L. penumbra "partial shadow outside the complete shadow of an eclipse," coined 1604 by Kepler from L.pæne "almost" + umbra "shadow" (see umbrage). Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 penumbra pen·um·bra / pE5nQmbrE / noun(technical 术语) 1. an area of shadow which is between fully dark and fully light (黑暗与光明之间的)半影 2. (astronomy 天) the shadow made by the earth or the moon during a partial eclipse
(偏蚀期间的)半影 ⇨ compare umbra (2) Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged pe·num·bra I. \pə̇ˈnəmbrə\ noun (plural penumbrae \-mˌbrē, -rī\ ; or penumbras) Etymology: New Latin, from Latin pene- + umbra shadow — more at umbrage 1. : a shadow cast (as in an eclipse) where the light is partly but not wholly cut off by the intervening body : a space of partial illumination between the perfect shadow on all sides and the full light 2. : the shaded region surrounding the dark central portion of a sunspot 3. a. : a surrounding or adjoining region in which something exists in a lesser degree : a marginal area : fringe < the penumbra of consciousness > < Thracian existed in a sort of cultural penumbra on the border line of the civilized world — Jaan Puhvel > < the seventeenth century lay in the penumbra of the middle ages — Edward Eggleston > < the few sure findings remain surrounded by a much larger penumbra of uncertainties — A.L.Kroeber > b. : a surrounding atmosphere (as of obscurity, emotion, meaning) : aura , nimbus < love … has been stripped of its mystical penumbra — J.W.Krutch > < symbols carrying with them vital penumbras of meaning — M.R.Cohen > c. : an area containing things of obscure classification : an uncertain middle ground between fields of thought or activity : borderland , no-man's-land < orthodoxy and heterodoxy have too large a penumbra of doubt — New Republic > 4. : a part of a picture where shade gradually blends with light • pe·num·bral \-rəl\ adjective II. noun : a body of rights held to be guaranteed by implication in a civil constitution < the penumbras of the Bill of Rights > |
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