But did I just turn around too soon?

[sovay]

If there is a single word for the object which casts a shadow, I do not know it, but it should exist.

Comments

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

I like shadow-antecedent.

[ap-aelfwine.livejournal.com]

I don't know it either, but there should be.
Perhaps somewhere, somewhen, in some language, there is.

[nineweaving.livejournal.com]

Gnomon?

Nine

[grimmwire.livejournal.com]

Beat me to it.

Or (probably coining a neologism here) "ecliptor".

[grimmwire.livejournal.com]

Aaaack. Now that I've Googled, I find that "Ecliptor" was a Power Rangers villain! (Waste of a nice-sounding word, I thought.)

Anyway, I think the word you want is occulter, which blocks light from a star in a telescope.

I first thought of "occluder", which seems to suggest the same idea. It's a tool used by opthamologists.

Then again both occulter and occluder are things that block sight, not necessarily things that block light in general.

Less interesting but perhaps more to the point: the word "shade" (as a noun) fits the bill.

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

"Shade" is both the caster, the thing cast, and the act of casting - how convenient!

Maybe some word that implies the opposite of a vampire?

Sadly, the most precise word is also a bit misleading: umbrella.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

How interesting--in Japanese, "kage" means both "shadow" and "glow [of light]"

[ap-aelfwine.livejournal.com]

"Shade" is a good word, actually. "The shadow of the shade" has a certain ring to it.

[ap-aelfwine.livejournal.com]

Gnomon?

I like this.

[pecunium.livejournal.com]

I was beaten to the answer. The Gnomon is the object which casts the shadow in a sundial/solar clock.

Re: Shadow

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

This looks like it will be a fascinating article--and yes, to your last point.

[clarionj.livejournal.com]

Well, after reading your post and everyone's comments, I feel the need to get back to my novel on shadow exchange.

Fascinating. I have to pursue some of these suggestions.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Are you planning a follow up to "Return on the Downward Road"?