noun
silhouette; dark shadow
Refers to a dark, shadowy figure or shape, often with a slightly literary or dramatic feel.
夕暮れに、遠くの丘に黒影が浮かび上がった。
At dusk, a dark silhouette appeared on the distant hill.
窓の外に人の黒影が映った。
A human silhouette was reflected outside the window.
Compound of 黒 (black) and 影 (shadow, silhouette). The reading こくえい uses the on'yomi of both characters.