obumbren

Alternative forms

• aboumbren

Etymology

From Old French obumbrer (“to overshadow”), from Latin obumbrō (“to overshadow”).

Verb

obumbren (third-person singular simple present obumbreth, present participle obumbrende, simple past and past participle obumbred)

1. (of countries) to overshadow
2. (of people, with over or to) to spread like a shadow over
3. (of eyes) to cover
4. (of the germination of beans) to shelter or protect
5. (Christianity, in passive, to be obumbred to) to be caused to overshadow (a reference to the causative role played by the Holy Spirit in the Virgin Mary's conception of Christ)
   • Chaucer

     Or half the blisse who coude wryte or tel

     Whan the holy goost to thee was obumbred