umbra

noun um·bra \ˈəm-brə\

plural umbras or um·brae \-(ˌ)brē, -ˌbrī\

Definition of UMBRA

: a shaded area

a : a conical shadow excluding all light from a given source; specifically : the conical part of the shadow of a celestial body excluding all light from the primary source

b : the central dark part of a sunspot

— um·bral \-brəl\ adjective

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Origin of UMBRA

Latin

First Known Use: 1638

Related to UMBRA

Synonyms: black, blackness, candlelight, darkness, dusk, gloaming, gloom, murk, night, semidarkness, shade, shadows, twilight, dark

Antonyms: blaze, brightness, brilliance, day, daylight, glare, glow, light, lightness

Other Astronomy Terms

gibbous, nadir, nebulous, penumbra, retrograde, sidereal, syzygy, wane, wax, zenith

Learn More About UMBRA

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "umbra"

Britannica English: Translation of "umbra" for Arabic speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about "umbra"

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