UMBRA • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Umbra

Add this Dictionary
to your website!
See more options...

Listen

noun

Umbra n. (pl. umbrae)

(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.

(Zool.) Any one of several species of sciaenoid food fishes of the genus Umbrina, especially the Mediterranean species (Umbrina cirrhosa), which is highly esteemed as a market fish; called also ombre, and umbrine.

Umbra tree (Bot.), a tree (Phytolacca dioica) 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.

See images of 'Umbra'

Etymology of 'Umbra'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

Share |

"Umbra" Quotes from Famous Books

... Louis Stevenson. The painter of Valenciennes gave little sign of his malady on his joyous lyrical canvases. Keats sang of faery landscapes and Chopin's was a virile spirit; the most cheerful writer under the sun was Stevenson, who even in his Pulvis et Umbra conjured up images of hope after a most pitiless arraignment of the universe and man. And here is the paradox. This quartet of genius suffered from and were slain by consumption. (Stevenson died directly of brain congestion; he was, however, a victim to lung trouble.) ...

— Promenades of an Impressionist • James Huneker

Words linked to "Umbra" : shadow