umbra versa

English

Etymology

First attested in Modern English in 1688, although the phrase was also used in Middle English by Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343–1400) in his Treatise on the Astrolabe; Latin: umbra (“shadow”) + versa (feminine nominative singular of versus, “turned”) = “turned shadow”; compare umbra recta.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) enPR: ŭmʹbrə vûrʹsə, IPA^(key): /ˈʌmbɹə ˈvɜːsə/

Noun

umbra versa

1. On a shadow in the shape of a right triangle, the length of the shadow's edge opposite to a measured angle.
   • 1688, John Hales, “The Rich man’s Recepiſti”, in Golden Remains, 3rd edition, page 77:

     Scheubelius a great Mathematician, but by book only, and not by practice who being required ſometime in an Army to make uſe of his Quadrant, knew not the difference between umbra recta, and umbra verſa.

Synonyms

• umbra stans