umbrella

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian ombrella, umbrella (“parasol, sunshade”), dim. of ombra (“shade”) (or from a Late Latin or Medieval Latin umbrella), from Latin umbra (“shadow”).

noun

1. A cloth-covered frame used for protection against rain or sun.
   Quick, grab that umbrella before you get rained on!
   When the [lost property] office first opened, the most frequently lost items were umbrellas. Every white-collar professional carried one, but despite, or because of, that they were easily forgotten about. … In the 1930s, a quarter of a million umbrellas a year came into the office. Now it's more like 10,000. 2012, Andrew Martin, Underground Overground: A passenger's history of the Tube, Profile Books, page 197
2. Generally, anything that provides protection.
   The fighters provide a defensive air umbrella over the battle group.
3. Something that covers a wide range of concepts, purposes, groups, etc.
   The test facility was established under the umbrella of the company's quality program.
4. The main body of a jellyfish, excluding the tentacles.
   Jellyfish are composed of more than 90% water and most of their umbrella mass is made up of gelatinous material.
5. (photography, television) An umbrella-shaped reflector with a white or silvery inner surface, used to diffuse a nearby light.
   Using umbrellas for shooting a wedding party is ok, but not necessary. 2014, Michael Allen, Modern Wedding Photography, page 97

verb

1. (transitive) To cover or protect, as if by an umbrella.
   Experts with saws and ladders came and lopped off the lower branches. This sent the tree's growth rushing violently to her head in a lush overhanging which umbrellaed the House of All Sorts. 1944, Emily Carr, “Life Loves Living”, in The House of All Sorts
   Huge pine and eucalyptus umbrellaed the grounds, airconditioning the morning. 2008, Jonathan Kellerman, Bad Love: Alex Delaware 8
2. (intransitive) To form the dome shape of an open umbrella.
   Bright yellow gowns fit them tightly and umbrellaed from their waist to just below the knees. 2011, B. A. Rothwell, The Peaceful Queen, page 31
3. (intransitive) To move like a jellyfish.
   The light catches the filigreed tendrils and graceful motion of the jellies, their orange bodies umbrella-ing along like fairy parasols come to life. 1997, National Geographic Traveler, page 36