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ReadingWillow structured literacy program for Australian students

Dictionary Entry

partial shadow

noun

Find the meaning of the word partial shadow, plus dictionary definition, pronunciation, thesaurus-style synonyms, antonyms, and related vocabulary.

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Meaning

Dictionary meaning in a clear, student-friendly format.

The lighter, outer part of a shadow where light is only partially blocked by an object; also known as the penumbra. It's the region where the light source is only partially obscured by the occluding body.

Example Sentence

During a solar eclipse, observers in the partial shadow experience a less dramatic dimming of the sun compared to those in the full shadow.

Usage Note

Use 'partial shadow' when describing the lighter region of a shadow, such as when an object blocks some but not all light, or during an eclipse where the light source is only partially obscured. It's often contrasted with the 'umbra' or 'full shadow' to specify the degree of light blockage.