The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word PENUMBRA
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
P
E
N
U
M
B
R
A
More clues leading to the result PENUMBRA
- Insensitive, entering pear-shaped partial shadow
- Unfeeling, a salesman comes back round; shady character!
- Exercise with Greek characterand artist
- Write with some hesitation to support one of the Shadows
- Having turned umber, nap in partial shade
- Shadow barmen up for replacement
- Shadow of exercise by dead artist
- Writer’s union leading motion to support area of uncertainty
- . Writer hesitant about support from shadowy area
- Writer with umbrella leaves annexe, has shadow
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "partial shadow" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case partial shadow = penumbra.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does PENUMBRA mean?
PENUMBRA noun- A partially shaded area around the edges of a shadow, especially an eclipse.
- A region around the edge of a sunspot, darker than the sun's surface but lighter than the middle of the sunspot.
- An area of uncertainty or intermediacy between two mutually exclusive states or categories.
- An area that lies on the edge of something; a fringe.
- Something related to, connected to, and implied by, the existence of something else that is necessary for the second thing to be full and complete in its essential aspects.
- (in "ischaemic penumbra", after a stroke) A region of the brain that has lost only some of its blood supply, and retains structural integrity but has lost function.