Library / English Dictionary

OUTLINE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A schematic or preliminary plan

Synonyms:

outline; schema; scheme

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("outline" is a kind of...):

plan; program; programme (a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished)

Derivation:

outline (draw up an outline or sketch for something)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theory

Synonyms:

abstract; outline; precis; synopsis

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("outline" is a kind of...):

sum-up; summary (a brief statement that presents the main points in a concise form)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "outline"):

brief (a condensed written summary or abstract)

apercu (a short synopsis)

epitome (a brief abstract (as of an article or book))

Derivation:

outline (describe roughly or briefly or give the main points or summary of)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The line that appears to bound an object

Synonyms:

lineation; outline

Classified under:

Nouns denoting spatial position

Hypernyms ("outline" is a kind of...):

bound; boundary; bounds (the line or plane indicating the limit or extent of something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "outline"):

coastline (the outline of a coast)

profile (an outline of something (especially a human face as seen from one side))

silhouette (an outline of a solid object (as cast by its shadow))

skyline (the outline of objects seen against the sky)

Derivation:

outline (trace the shape of)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Describe roughly or briefly or give the main points or summary of

Example:

outline his ideas

Synonyms:

adumbrate; outline; sketch

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "outline" is one way to...):

depict; describe; draw (give a description of)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "outline"):

block out (indicate roughly)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

outline (a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theory)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Trace the shape of

Synonyms:

delineate; limn; outline

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Hypernyms (to "outline" is one way to...):

draw (represent by making a drawing of, as with a pencil, chalk, etc. on a surface)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "outline"):

lipstick (form by tracing with lipstick)

contour (form the contours of)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

outline (the line that appears to bound an object)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Draw up an outline or sketch for something

Example:

draft a speech

Synonyms:

draft; outline

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Hypernyms (to "outline" is one way to...):

compose; indite; pen; write (produce a literary work)

Domain category:

authorship; composition; penning; writing (the act of creating written works)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sentence example:

Did he outline his major works over a short period of time?

Derivation:

outline (a schematic or preliminary plan)

Credits

 Context examples: 

The substance outlines the kidneys, ureters, and bladder as it flows through the system and collects in the urine.

(Intravenous pyelogram, NCI Dictionary)

The marsh was steaming in the strong sun, and the outline of the Spy-glass trembled through the haze.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

It was opened immediately, and the figure of a tall woman was outlined against the dim-lit hall.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Then, hardly daring to look and yet unable to turn away my eyes, I saw a figure dimly outlined in the corner upon which the stair opened.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

These outlines are a part of a study protocol which is more a detailed and comprehensive study document.

(Planned Clinical Study, NCI Thesaurus)

Periodic Acid Schiff staining is useful for outlining tissue structures such as basement membranes, capsules and blood vessels.

(Periodic Acid Schiff Staining Method, NCI Thesaurus/CDISC)

Both the LMB 81 and LMB 89 Group B protocols follow a similar regimen to that outlined in the LMB 84 regimen.

(LMB-84 Regimen, NCI Thesaurus)

The LMB 89 Group C regimen follows a similar regimen to that outlined in the LMB 86 protocol.

(LMB-86 Regimen, NCI Thesaurus)

PAS is useful for outlining tissue structures—basement membranes, capsules, blood vessels, etc.

(Periodic Acid Schiff Staining Method, NCI Thesaurus)

I could see his black figure clearly outlined against the green behind him.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)