shadow in WordNet English dictionary

1. something existing in perception only
   "a ghostly apparition at midnight"
   apparition  phantom  phantasm  phantasma  fantasm  shadow 
   
2. an unilluminated area
   "he moved off into the darkness"
   darkness  dark  shadow 
   
3. refuge from danger or observation
   "he felt secure in his father's shadow"
   shadow 
   
4. an indication that something has been present
   "there wasn't a trace of evidence for the claim"; "a tincture of condescension"
   trace  vestige  tincture  shadow 
   
5. a premonition of something adverse
   "a shadow over his happiness"
   shadow 
   
6. a spy employed to follow someone and report their movements
   tail  shadow  shadower 
   
7. an inseparable companion
   "the poor child was his mother's shadow"
   shadow 
   
8. a dominating and pervasive presence
   "he received little recognition working in the shadow of his father"
   shadow 
   
9. shade within clear boundaries
   shadow 
   

1. make appear small by comparison
   "This year's debt dwarfs that of last year"
   shadow  overshadow  dwarf 
   
2. cast a shadow over
   shadow  shade  shade off 
   
3. follow, usually without the person's knowledge
   "The police are shadowing her"
   shadow