Wordsmith.org: the magic of words


A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact  


Home

Today's Word

Yesterday's Word

Archives

FAQ


Discuss
Email this
Feedback
RSS/XML
Permalink

A.Word.A.Day--umbrage

Pronunciation Sound Clip RealAudio

This week's theme: A medley of words

umbrage (UHM-brij) noun

1. Offense or annoyance arising from some insult.
2. Shade, as from a tree.
3. A vague suggestion or a feeling of suspicion.

[From Latin umbra (shade, shadow), which also gave us the words umbrella, adumbrate, and somber.]

"A number of judges clearly took umbrage at McDowell's comments; Supreme Court judge Mr Justice Adrian Hardiman implicitly criticised him from the bench."
Pat Leahy; Judiciary Considers McDowell's Watchdog Proposal; The Sunday Business Post (Dublin, Ireland); Jan 7, 2007.

See more usage examples of umbrage in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

X-Bonus

He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it. -Confucius, philosopher and teacher (c. 551-478 BCE)

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith