Obumbrating

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To create an overshadowing effect by blocking light or to obscure something from perception through a protective cover
2. To limit visibility or hide an object by casting a shadow, effectively concealing it from direct sight
3. To throw a shadow upon something, partially hiding it from view ; to make something less clear, either physically or figuratively

Etymology: "Obumbrating" is the present participle of "obumbrate," which was borrowed from the past participle of the Latin verb "obumbrare," meaning "to overshadow" or "to cloud." The Latin verb combines "ob," meaning "over" or "against," with "umbra," meaning "shade" or "shadow." That same root gives English "umbra," the dark central part of a shadow, and "umbrella," a small portable shade. Because the word came straight from Latin, it kept the concrete sense of casting a shadow over something before it took on figurative uses. Its meaning stretched from literally darkening an object to dimming a message, a memory, or an idea so that it is harder to see clearly.

Synonyms: shading, obscuring