Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Umbra?

\Um"bra\, n.; pl. {Umbr[ae]}. [L., a shadow.] 1. (Astron.) (a) The conical shadow projected from a planet or satellite, on the side opposite to the sun, within which a spectator could see no portion of the sun's disk; -- used in contradistinction from penumbra. See {Penumbra}. (b) The central dark portion, or nucleus, of a sun spot. (c) The fainter part of a sun spot; -- now more commonly called penumbra. 2. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several species of sci[ae]noid food fishes of the genus {Umbrina}, especially the Mediterranean species ({U. cirrhosa}), which is highly esteemed as a market fish; -- called also {ombre}, and {umbrine}. {Umbra tree} (Bot.), a tree ({Phytolacca diocia}) of the same genus as pokeweed. It is native of South America, but is now grown in southern Europe. It has large dark leaves, and a somber aspect. The juice of its berries is used for coloring wine. --J. Smith (Dict. Econ. Plants).