244: umbra Aug 9, 2015

The word 'umbra' comes from Latin, meaning shade, and gives English more than one derivative. Umbrellas provide shade from sun, and perhaps an umbrageous canopy. 'Umbrage' also derives from the Latin, but it takes some thought to figure out why. Similar to the modern expression, 'shady', to describe a lack of security from the law or what have you, 'umbrage' means "offering shade" but also "offense".