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pe·num·bra  (p  -n  m  br  ) KEY NOUN: pl. pe·num·brae (-br  ) KEY or pe·num·bras
- A partial shadow, as in an eclipse, between regions of complete shadow and complete illumination. See Synonyms at shade.
- The grayish outer part of a sunspot.
- An area in which something exists to a lesser or uncertain degree: "The First Amendment has a penumbra where privacy is protected from governmental intrusion" (Joseph A. Califano, Jr.).
- An outlying surrounding region; a periphery: "Downtown Chicago and its penumbra also stand rejuvenated" (John McCormick).
ETYMOLOGY:New Latin pnumbra : Latin paene, almost + Latin umbra, shadowOTHER FORMS:pe·numbral or pe·numbrous(Adjective)
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