Saturday, March 28, 2009

Umbrage


umbrage \ˈəm-brij\ noun: 1. shade, shadow, 2. shady branches, foliage, 3 a. an indistinct indication, vague suggestion or hint, b. a reason for doubt, suspicion, 4. a feeling of pique or resentment at some often fancied slight or insult {took umbrage at the speaker's remarks}

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin umbraticum, neuter of umbraticus of shade, from umbratus, past participle of umbrare to shade, from umbra shade, shadow

Most people are only familiar with definition #4. Try using umbrage in its first sense (shade or shadow) to really flip someone’s wig.

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