penumbra

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A region around the edge of a sunspot, darker than the sun's surface but lighter than the middle of the sunspot.

   The atmosphere was very clear, evidenced by the steadiness with which the mottling of the sun’s surface and the penumbræ of several spots were visible.

2. 2
   noun

   An area of uncertainty or intermediacy between two mutually exclusive states or categories.

   These firms or businesses are not illegal in the strict sense, but there is a shadowy penumbra within which they live, and it is often convenient for the government to look the other way.

From New Latin pēnumbra, from Latin paene (“almost”) + umbra (“shadow”).

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