dark shape
1 [C] the dark shape that sb/sth's form makes on a surface, for example on the ground, when they are between the light and the surface:
The children were having fun, chasing each other's shadows. * The ship's sail cast a shadow on the water. * The shadows lengthened as the sun went down. * (figurative) He didn't want to cast a shadow on (= spoil) their happiness. -< SHADE
darkness
2 [U] (also shadows [pl.]) darkness in a place or on sth, especially so that you cannot easily see who or what is there:
His face was deep in shadow, turned away from her. * I thought I saw a figure standing in the shadows. -> SHADE
small amount
3 [sing.] ~ of sth a very small amount of sth:
A shadow of a smile touched his mouth. * She knew beyond a shadow of a doubt (= with no doubt at all) that he was lying.
influence
4 [sing.] ~ of sb/sth the strong (usually bad) influence of sb/sth:
The new leader wants to escape from the shadow of his predecessor. * These people have been living for years under the shadow of fear.
under eyes
5 (shadows) [pl.] dark areas under sb's eyes, because they are tired, etc:
She looked pale, with deep shadows under her eyes.
sb that follows sb
6 [C] a person or an animal that follows sb else all the time
sth not real
7 [C] a thing that is not real or possible to obtain:
You can't spend all your life chasing shadows.
seealsoEYESHADOW, FIVEO'CLOCKSHADOW
IDIOMS
be frightened / nervous / scared of your own shadow to be very easily frightened; to be very nervous
in / under the shadow of
1 very close to:
The new market is in the shadow of the City Hall.
2 when you say that sb is in/under the shadow of another person, you mean that they do not receive as much attention as that person:
A younger son often lives in the shadow of his elder brother.
moreatFORMER
verb [VN]
follow and watch
1 to follow and watch sb closely and often secretly:
He was shadowed for a week by the secret police.
2 to be with sb who is doing a particular job, so that you can learn about it:
It is often helpful for teachers to shadow managers in industry.
cover with shadow
3 to cover sth with a shadow:
A wide-brimmed hat shadowed her face. * The bay was shadowed by magnificent cliffs.
seealsoOVERSHADOW
adjective [onlybeforenoun] (BrE, politics) used to refer to senior politicians of the main opposition party who would become government ministers if their party won the next election:
the shadow Chancellor * the shadow Cabinet
