GRE vocabulary
Penumbra
The partially shaded outer region of a shadow cast by an opaque object.
Example
"During the solar eclipse, we could only see a faint glow in the penumbra, where the moon partially obscured the sun."
Etymology
From Latin paene "almost" + umbra "shadow."
Play today's word
Free daily SAT vocabulary game. One word, four definitions, be sharp.
Play WordSpar →