1. (n.) The line which marks the outer limits of an object or figure; the exterior line or edge; contour.

2. (n.) In art: A line drawn by pencil, pen, graver, or the like, by which the boundary of a figure is indicated.

3. (n.) A sketch composed of such lines; the delineation of a figure without shading.

4. (n.) 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.

5. (v. t.) To draw the outline of.

6. (v. t.) Fig.: To sketch out or indicate as by an outline; as, to outline an argument or a campaign.

abbreviation abbreviature abrege abridge abridgment abstract adumbrate adumbration alphabet article basics block in block out blueprint border bound boundaries boundary bounds bourns brief bring to life broad lines brouillon capsule capsulize cartoon catalog catalogue raisonne causerie chalk out character characterize chart circumference circumscription compass compend condensation condense condensed version configuration confines conformation conspectus contour coordinates copy cortex covering crust define delineate delineation depict descant describe design detail diagram digest discourse discussion disquisition dissertation draft draw drawing ebauche echo edge edges elements elevation enumerate envelope epidermis epitome esquisse essay etude evoke examination excursus exposition express exterior external facade face facet feature features figuration figure first approach first principles first steps footprint form framework fringe fringes front galbe gestalt give words to grammar graph ground plan head hem homily hornbook house plan ichnography induction integument introductory study itemize lay out layout limitations limits limn line lineaments lineation lines lucubration main features marches margin memoir metes metes and bounds monograph morceau note number nutshell outer face outer layer outer side outer skin outlines outside outskirts overview paint pale pandect paper paragraph parameters parse pattern perimeter periphery picture piece plan plot portray precis preliminary study primer principia principles profile projection prolegomenon recapitulation reflection reflex relief render represent research paper resolve resume review rim rind rough rough in rough out rubric rudiments run-down scan scenario schema schematize scheme screed set forth shadow shape shapes shell shorten shortened version silhouette skeleton sketch sketch out skin skirt skirts skyline special article study summarize summary superficies superstratum surface surround survey syllabus synopsis synopsize table table of contents term paper theme thesis thumbnail sketch top topical outline tournure trace tract tractate treatise treatment verges working drawing write