sombra

Alternative forms

• solombra

Etymology

Ultimately from Latin umbra, through an intermediate form. Compare Spanish and Portuguese sombra.

Noun

sombra f (plural sombres)

1. shade, shadow

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /sɔ̃.bʁa/

Verb

sombra

1. third-person singular past historic of sombrer

Anagrams

• ombras

Etymology

From Old Portuguese soombra, of uncertain origin, but ultimately containing Latin umbra (“shadow”). Possible etymologies include:

• from Old Portuguese soombrar, from Vulgar Latin *subumbrāre (“to shadow”), from Latin sub + umbrāre, from umbra (“shadow”).^[1]
• from Old Spanish solombra, from Vulgar Latin *solumbra, from Latin sub illa umbra.^[2]
• from Latin umbra (“shadow”), influenced by Old Portuguese sol (“sun, sunshine”).^[1]

Cognate with Galician sombra, Asturian sombra, solombra, Mirandese selombra, Spanish sombra, French sombre and possibly with Dalmatian sombreja and Romansch sumbreiva.

Pronunciation

• (Portugal) IPA^(key): /ˈsõ.bɾɐ/
• (Brazil) IPA^(key): /ˈsõ.bɾɐ/
• Hyphenation: som‧bra

Noun

sombra f (plural sombras)

1. shade

   Fique na sombra.

   Stay in the shade.

2. shadow

   Não há luz sem sombra.

   There's no light without a shadow.

3. (figuratively) a negative aspect of something

   O tempo na cadeia é uma sombra do seu passado.

   The time spent in jail is a shadow from his past.

4. shadow (a faint silhouette)

   Vimos uma sombra passar pela janela.

   We saw a shadow passing by the window.

5. shadow; trace; hint (a very small amount, especially of something abstract)

   Sem sombra de dúvida.

   Without a shadow of doubt.

6. tail (someone who closely and persistently follows another)
7. (supernatural, fantasy) shadow; shade; ghost
8. eye shadow (makeup applied to the eyelids)
9. (painting, drawing) the darker parts of an image
10. (figuratively) copycat (one who imitates someone without adding ingenuity)

References

Etymology 1

Probably from the verb sombrar.

Etymology 2

See etymology on the main entry.