Library / English Dictionary

SILHOUETTE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A drawing of the outline of an object; filled in with some uniform color

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

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

drawing (a representation of forms or objects on a surface by means of lines)

Derivation:

silhouette (represent by a silhouette)

Sense 2

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting spatial position

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

lineation; outline (the line that appears to bound an object)

Derivation:

silhouette (project on a background, such as a screen, like a silhouette)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Represent by a silhouette

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

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

interpret; represent (create an image or likeness of)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Derivation:

silhouette (a drawing of the outline of an object; filled in with some uniform color)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Project on a background, such as a screen, like a silhouette

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

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

project (project on a screen)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Derivation:

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

Credits

 Context examples: 

The silhouette of a moving cat wavered across the moonlight and turning my head to watch it I saw that I was not alone—fifty feet away a figure had emerged from the shadow of my neighbor's mansion and was standing with his hands in his pockets regarding the silver pepper of the stars.

(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)

With enchanting murmurs Daisy admired this aspect or that of the feudal silhouette against the sky, admired the gardens, the sparkling odor of jonquils and the frothy odor of hawthorn and plum blossoms and the pale gold odor of kiss-me-at-the-gate.

(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)