umbrella — ODE

umbrella /ʌmˈbrɛlə

▸ noun

1 a device consisting of a circular canopy of cloth on a folding metal frame supported by a central rod, used as protection against rain.

2 a protecting force or influence:

Europe sought a measure of independence from the US defence umbrella.

▪ a screen of fighter aircraft or anti-aircraft artillery.

3 [usually as modifier] a thing that includes or contains many different elements or parts:

the umbrella body for more than 100 training organizations.

4 Zoology the gelatinous disc of a jellyfish, which it contracts and expands to move through the water.

– DERIVATIVES

umbrellaed /ʌmˈbrɛləd/ adjective

umbrella-like adjective

– ORIGIN early 17th century: from Italian ombrella, diminutive of ombra ‘shade’, from Latin umbra (see umbra).