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delineate

 - 3 dictionary results

de⋅lin⋅e⋅ate

  [di-lin-ee-eyt]
Use delineate in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -at⋅ed, -at⋅ing.
1. to trace the outline of; sketch or trace in outline; represent pictorially: He delineated the state of Texas on the map with a red pencil.
2. to portray in words; describe or outline with precision: In her speech she delineated the city plan with great care.
Origin:
1550–60; < L dēlīneātus, equiv. to dē- de- + līneātus lineate

Related forms:
de⋅lin⋅e⋅a⋅ble  [di-lin-ee-uh-buhl] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To delineate
de·lin·e·ate   (dĭ-lĭn'ē-āt')   
tr.v.   de·lin·e·at·ed, de·lin·e·at·ing, de·lin·e·ates

  1. To draw or trace the outline of; sketch out.

  2. To represent pictorially; depict.

  3. To depict in words or gestures; describe. See Synonyms at represent.


[Latin dēlīneāre, dēlīneāt- : dē-, de- + līnea, line, thread; see line1.]
de·lin'e·a'tion n., de·lin'e·a'tive adj., de·lin'e·a'tor n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

delineate 
1559, from L. delineatus, pp. of delineare, from de- "completely" + lineare "draw lines," from linea "line."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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