D defs.my
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Entry 4 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Outline

/out'-līnˌ/ · Out·line · IPA /ˈaʊtlaɪn/
01 n. The line which marks the outer limits of an object or figure; the exterior line or edge; contour.
  1. 1.
    The line which marks the outer limits of an object or figure; the exterior line or edge; contour.
    “Painters, by their outlines, colors, lights, and shadows, represent the same in their pictures.” — Dryden.
  2. 2.
    Fig.: A sketch of any scheme; a preliminary or general indication of a plan, system, discourse, 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.
02 v. t. To draw the outline of.
imp. & p. p. Outlined; p. pr. & vb. n. Outlining
  1. 1.
    To draw the outline of.
  2. 2.
    Fig.: To sketch out or indicate as by an outline; to create a general framework of (a plan, system, discourse, course of thought), for which the details need to be added; as, to outline an argument or a campaign.