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adumbrate

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The definition of adumbrate is to suggest beforehand or to vaguely foreshadow.

(verb)

An example of adumbrate is to introduce minor clues into the text of a murder mystery novel.

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See adumbrate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb adumbrated, adumbrating

to outline in a shadowy way; sketch
to suggest beforehand; foreshadow in a vague way
to obscure; overshadow

Origin: < L adumbratus, pp. of adumbrari, to shade < ad-, to + umbra, shade

Related Forms:

adumbration noun
adumbrative adjective

See adumbrate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb ad·um·brat·ed, ad·um·brat·ing, ad·um·brates

To give a sketchy outline of.
To prefigure indistinctly; foreshadow.
To disclose partially or guardedly.
To overshadow; shadow or obscure.

Origin:

Origin: Latin adumbrāre, adumbrāt-, to represent in outline

Origin: : ad-, ad-

Origin: + umbra, shadow

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Related Forms:

adˌum·braˈtion noun

ad·umˈbra·tive (ə-dŭmˈbrə-tĭv) adjective

ad·umˈbra·tive·ly adverb

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