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outline - 5 dictionary results

out⋅line

[out-lahyn] noun, verb, -lined, -lin⋅ing.
–noun
1. the line by which a figure or object is defined or bounded; contour.
2. a drawing or sketch restricted to line without shading or modeling of form.
3. a general sketch, account, or report, indicating only the main features, as of a book, subject, or project: an outline of medieval history; an outline of a speech.
4. outlines, the essential features or main aspects of something under discussion: At the first meeting, we gave her only the outlines of the project.
5. Printing. an ornamented type in which the outside contours of each character appear in black, with the inside left white.
–verb (used with object)
6. to draw the outline of, or draw in outline, as a figure or object.
7. to give an outline of; sketch the main features of: On the first day, the professor just outlined the course for us.

Origin:
1655–65; out- + line 1


1. See form. 3. plan, draft, rough, synopsis, summary. 6, 7. delineate, draft.
out·line   (out'līn')   
n.  
    1. A line marking the outer contours or boundaries of an object or figure.
    2. The shape of an object or figure.
    3. A style of drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading.
    4. A sketch done in this style.
    5. A general description covering the main points of a subject: an outline of American literature.
    6. A statement summarizing the important points of a text.
    7. A summary of a written work or speech, usually analyzed in headings and subheadings.
    1. A style of drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading.
    2. A sketch done in this style.
    3. A general description covering the main points of a subject: an outline of American literature.
    4. A statement summarizing the important points of a text.
    5. A summary of a written work or speech, usually analyzed in headings and subheadings.
    1. A general description covering the main points of a subject: an outline of American literature.
    2. A statement summarizing the important points of a text.
    3. A summary of a written work or speech, usually analyzed in headings and subheadings.
  1. A preliminary draft or plan, as of a project or proposal.
tr.v.   out·lined, out·lin·ing, out·lines
  1. To draw an outline of.
  2. To display or accentuate the outline of.
  3. To give the main features or various aspects of; summarize: outlined the major provisions of the tax bill.
Synonyms: These nouns refer to a line that defines the boundary and shape of an object, mass, or figure: the outline of the mountains against the sunset; saw the island's contour from the airplane; a monarch's profile on an ancient coin; saw the dark silhouette of the family waving farewell.

Outline

Out"line`\, n. 1. (a) The line which marks the outer limits of an object or figure; the exterior line or edge; contour. (b) In art: A line drawn by pencil, pen, graver, or the like, by which the boundary of a figure is indicated. (c) A sketch composed of such lines; the delineation of a figure without shading.

Painters, by their outlines, colors, lights, and shadows, represent the same in their pictures. --Dryden.

2. Fig.: A sketch of any scheme; a preliminary or general indication of a plan, system, course of thought, etc.; as, the outline of a speech.

But that larger grief . . . Is given in outline and no more. --Tennyson.

Syn: Sketch; draught; delineation. See Sketch.

Outline

Out"line`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Outlined; p. pr. & vb. n. Outlining.]

1. To draw the outline of.

2. Fig.: To sketch out or indicate as by an outline; as, to outline an argument or a campaign.
Language Translation for : outline
Spanish: contorno, silueta,
German: der Umriß,
Japanese: 輪郭

outline 
1662, "lines by which a figure is delineated," from out + line (v.). Meaning "rough draft in words" is from 1759. The verb is first attested 1790.
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