The word "shadows" refers to dark shapes that are formed when an object blocks light. These shapes can vary in size and intensity depending on the light source and the object's distance from it. Shadows can also metaphorically represent something that is hidden or not fully understood, as well as feelings of fear or darkness.
The word "shadow" comes from the Old English "sceadu," which is related to the Proto-Germanic "skadwō" and the Proto-Indo-European "skēd-" meaning "to split" or "to shade." The concept of a shadow has been present in human language and culture for centuries, highlighting the relationship between light and absence.