adumbrate — to cast a shadow over something; to foreshadow
adumbrar — the Spanish cognate of the same meaning
“Adumbrate” is not a very common word in English, and I don’t think it’s cognate counterpart in Spanish is highly used either; however, the root of these two words comes from Latin’s umbra which means “shade” or “shadow.” In English, the word “umbra” also means “shade” or “shadow,” and sometimes it is used quite specifically in science to refer to a conical shadow cast by a celestial body.
In Spanish, the word for “shade” or “shadow” is “sombra.” You can see that it is still similar to its Latin beginning even though the initial part of the word has changed a bit. From this comes the very well-known Spanish word of “sombrero.” Even those who don’t know any Spanish still tend to know that a “sombrero” is a “hat.” Some people think it only refers to those very large and ornately decorated Mexican hats worn by Mariachi singers, but a “sombrero” is any hat with a bill that encircles the head and thus gives its wearer’s face “shade” from the sun.
The Latin word umbra also gave birth to well-known colors used in art classes and found in many crayon boxes. Those would be “raw umber” and “burnt umber.” “Umber” is generally a brownish or reddish earth color, and the “raw” and “burnt” forms of it work well for “shading” when painting or coloring.
Another useful word in English that comes from Latin’s umbra is “umbrage.” Usually we say someone “took umbrage” at something to signify that the person became annoyed or resentful about something. Nowadays, we have an epidemic of people “taking umbrage” over the slightest things. However, it originated as a word meaning that there was a “shadowy semblance of something.” So, now when we “take umbrage” about something, it’s because there was a “shadow” of an insult in whatever it is we are annoyed about.
“Umbrage” also refers to the foliage in trees that provide shade. I didn’t even know that until I looked up the word to write this piece. I quite like that definition because I enjoy sitting in the “umbrage” provided by the mature trees in my yard. I need to use that word more, and I encourage you to do the same.
Perhaps by now, you’ve realized, or wondered, that the word “umbrella” might be related to these shady words. Yes, indeed it is. We often associate “umbrellas” with rainy days and protection from the rain; however, they are also designed to offer us “shade” or “umbra.” The word “umbrella” literally means “small shade.”
I hope these “Cognate Cognizance” posts have done the very opposite of “adumbrating” your world. I hope they are bringing light to your lexical understanding.
Until next time. Please share this with others who enjoy learning about words and encourage them to become a subscriber.
Tammy Marshall
Adumbrate