Shadow  —n. 1 shade; patch of shade. 2 dark shape projected by a body intercepting rays of light. 3 inseparable attendant or companion. 4 person secretly following another. 5 slightest trace (not a shadow of doubt). 6 weak or insubstantial remnant (a shadow of his former self). 7 (attrib.) Denoting members of an opposition party holding posts parallel to those of the government (shadow cabinet). 8 shaded part of a picture. 9 gloom or sadness. —v. 1 cast a shadow over. 2 secretly follow and watch. [old english: related to *shade]