adumbration

is the fact that, when looking at, say, a cube, one can only take in one-or more sides while the rest are adumbrated, or shaded. These non-apprehended sides play a role in perception, to be sure, but not explicitly, rather as a kind of horizon of 'co-givenness'.

When we visually perceive a three-dimensional, spatial object, we see it from one particular perspective. This means that we see one of its sides at the expense of the others (and its insides). We see a profile, aspect or, as Husserl puts it, 'adumbration.' Should we conclude from this that the other sides of the object are not visually present' Husserl thinks not, claiming that a more phenomenologically adequate description of the experience would maintain that, 'Of necessity a physical thing can be given only 'one-sidedly...' A physical thing is necessarily given in mere 'modes of appearance' in which necessarily a core of 'what is actually presented' is apprehended as being surrounded by a horizon of 'co-givenness'' (Husserl 1982, sec. 44). (internet encylopedia: Phenomenology)

adumbration, n.Definitions

adumbration