Meaning: shadow

Illustrative Context

He could see his shadow on the ground.

Target Sense

• The generic term for shadow, as would be the default lexeme for the prototypical case of a person’s shadow, as cast by the sun during the day.
• As a generic term, in many languages (as in English) the same lexeme is also the default term much more widely: for the ‘shadows’ of animals or any object, and from any light source. Do not, however, enter additional lexemes specific to any such contexts.
• The target sense is the one specific to English (a) shadow as opposed to shade. That is, the lexeme entered must be the default term for a shadow as a particular defined shape, in two dimensions, from which it may even be possible to identify who or what cast that shadow. The target is not, then, the specific sense of shade as relief from the heat or brightness of the sun, as cast normally by a tree, building, rock, etc., usually bigger than a person. The target lexeme will thus also normally be a count noun like shadow, able to be applied to a specific shadow of a single person, rather than a non-count noun like shade.
• In many languages, however, the same default lexeme is a cover term for both shadow and shade, e.g. French ombre. If so, then that is indeed the target lexeme for that language, as the basic vocabulary term that (also) covers the target sense here (irrespective of wider meaning extensions). Do not, however, enter additional lexemes specific to the alternative sense of English shade.
• Avoid looser, more ambiguous terms, e.g. for darkness in general.
• Avoid narrower terms such as outline or silhouette.
• The target sense is the literal one that comes from blocking out a light source. Do not enter any additional terms that may be figurative extensions, e.g. as some essence of the person that casts it, their soul, spirit, self, or a much weakened state, etc..