semidarkness

[ sem-ee-dahrk-nis, sem-ahy- ]

noun

1. partial darkness.

Word History and Origins

Origin of semidarkness¹

First recorded in 1840–50; semi- + darkness

Example Sentences

I keep a fast pace in the semidarkness, my breath coming out in a cloud, and when I find the turn off the main road, the sun is only just beginning to thaw the air.

From Literature

Juanita put the knife down and shook a cramp out of it in the semidarkness.

From Literature

From its first painterly images, of the face of Meryl Streep, sad and tender and lovely in the semidarkness, the film declares its artistry, its sensitivity and its theme.

From Los Angeles Times

As a haunting a cappella score builds momentum, they descend, twisting slowly through the semidarkness, until their chairs come to rest on the floor.

From New York Times

In the semidarkness of my parents’ bedroom, I flipped the pages to the table of contents.

From Literature

Related Words

• darkness
• dusk
• shade