Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

take the shadow for the substance

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.02 in modern English

Syllables: take the shad-ow -for the -sub-stance
IPA

52

Scrabble Score

28

Letters

5

Syllables

15

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To be easily deceived, credulous, superficial.

Etymology

Traditional, particularly in sermons; attested since 1818.

Inflected Forms

takes the shadow for the substance (present, singular) taking the shadow for the substance (participle, present) took the shadow for the substance (past) taken the shadow for the substance (participle, past)

Questions

What does take the shadow for the substance mean?: To be easily deceived, credulous, superficial.
Where does take the shadow for the substance come from?: Traditional, particularly in sermons; attested since 1818.

How to pronounce take the shadow for the substance

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