[ˈʃadəʊ], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface
(e.g: trees cast long shadows)

- used in reference to proximity, ominous oppressiveness, or sadness and gloom
(e.g: the shadow of war fell across Europe)

- an inseparable attendant or companion
(e.g: her faithful shadow, a Yorkshire terrier called Heathcliffe)



Phrases:
- be frightened of one's shadow
- cast a shadow over
- wear oneself to a shadow

Origin:
Old English scead(u)we (noun), oblique case of sceadu (see shade), sceadwian ‘screen or shield from attack’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch schaduw and German Schatten (nouns), from an Indo-European root shared by Greek skotos ‘darkness’

[ˈʃadəʊ], (Verb)

Definitions:
- envelop in shadow; cast a shadow over
(e.g: the market is shadowed by St Margaret's church)

- follow and observe (someone) closely and secretly
(e.g: he had been up all night shadowing a team of poachers)


Phrases:
- be frightened of one's shadow
- cast a shadow over
- wear oneself to a shadow

Origin:
Old English scead(u)we (noun), oblique case of sceadu (see shade), sceadwian ‘screen or shield from attack’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch schaduw and German Schatten (nouns), from an Indo-European root shared by Greek skotos ‘darkness’