Friday word: Penumbra

[med_cat]

Astronomy words, continued ;)
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Penumbra
\pə-ˈnəm-brə\

plural pen·um·brae or pen·um·bras

1: a space of partial illumination (as in an eclipse) between the perfect shadow on all sides and the full light
b : a shaded region surrounding the dark central portion of a sunspot

2: a surrounding or adjoining region in which something exists in a lesser degree : fringe

3: a body of rights held to be guaranteed by implication in a civil constitution

4: something that covers, surrounds, or obscures : shroud <a penumbra of secrecy> <a penumbra of somber dignity has descended over his reputation — James Atlas>

— pen·um·bral adjective

Examples:

1. <the lunar eclipse began with a subtle darkening of the lunar surface as it passed within the Earth's penumbra>
2. <a penumbra of despair fell over the doomed city>

Etymology:

New Latin, from Latin paene almost + umbra shadow

First Known Use: 1666

Comments

[kitsunepixiemd.livejournal.com]

In medicine we say penumbra to refer to viable tissue near an area of infarct, such is in the brain after a stroke.

[med_cat]

Very true, thanks! Forgot about that use (shame on me, and I'm stroke-certified :P)

[kitsunepixiemd.livejournal.com]

Other doctors don't know what I'm talking about half the time when I tell them to watch dropping the blood pressure down too quickly ("To preserve perfusion of the penumbra!"), so I thought it was a good word choice. :)

[med_cat]

:)

[theidolhands.livejournal.com]

Good day, please be aware that the tag for your journal name will now be filed under: "wordsmith: med_cat"

This is being done to streamline how people can find each other as well as words. :)

[med_cat]

That certainly makes sense and thank you very much for letting me know :)