umbrella
n
1 a portable device used for protection against rain, snow, etc., and consisting of a light canopy supported on a collapsible metal frame mounted on a central rod
2 the flattened cone-shaped contractile body of a jellyfish or other medusa
3 a protective shield or screen, esp. of aircraft or gunfire
4 anything that has the effect of a protective screen or cover
a any system or agency that provides centralized organization or general cover for a group of related companies, organizations, etc.
dance umbrella
b (as modifier) an umbrella fund, umbrella group (C17: from Italian ombrella, diminutive of ombra shade; see umbra) ♦
umbrella-like adj
Japanese umbrella pine
n a single aberrant species of pine, Sciadopitys verticillata, in which the leaves are fused in pairs and the crown is spire-shaped
umbrella bird
n a black tropical American passerine bird, Cephalopterus ornatus, having a large overhanging crest and a long feathered wattle: family Cotingidae (cotingas)
umbrella pine
n another name for →
stone pine
umbrella plant
n an African sedge, Cyperus alternifolius, having large umbrella-like whorls of slender leaves: widely grown as an ornamental water plant
umbrella stand
n an upright rack or stand for umbrellas
umbrella tree
n
1 a North American magnolia, Magnolia tripetala, having long leaves clustered into an umbrella formation at the ends of the branches and unpleasant-smelling white flowers
2 (Also called)
umbrella bush any of various other trees or shrubs having leaves shaped like an umbrella or growing in an umbrella-like cluster