Outline

n. contour, line marking the external shape of something; draft, sketch; plan; summary, synopsis

v. draw a rough sketch that focuses on the outer lines of a shape; describe along general lines, summarize; indicate main headings and points of a work

An outline is a hierarchical way to display related items of text to graphically depict their relationships.They are often used by students for research papers. Outlines provide a summary showing the logical flow of a paper. They are useful because they:help the writer organize their thoughts before getting bogged down in word choice and sentence structure;show which ideas need illustration or elaboration; andhelp the writer decide on an organizational technique for the report, whether it be logical, chronological, or categorical in nature.
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Noun
1. the line that appears to bound an object
(synonym) lineation
(hypernym) boundary, bound, bounds
(hyponym) coastline
(derivation) delineate, limn
2. a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theory
(synonym) synopsis, abstract, precis
(hypernym) summary
(hyponym) brief
(derivation) sketch, adumbrate
3. a schematic or preliminary plan
(synonym) schema, scheme
(hypernym) plan, program, programme
(derivation) draft
Verb
1. describe roughly or briefly or give the main points or summary of; "sketch the outline of the book"; "outline his ideas"
(synonym) sketch, adumbrate
(hypernym) describe, depict, draw
(hyponym) block out
(derivation) synopsis, abstract, precis
2. draw up an outline or sketch for something; "draft a speech"
(synonym) draft
(hypernym) write, compose, pen, indite
(derivation) schema, scheme
(classification) writing, authorship, composition, penning
3. trace the shape of
(synonym) delineate, limn
(hypernym) draw
(hyponym) lipstick
(derivation) lineation

(v. t.)
To draw the outline of.
  

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

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

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

(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.
  

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

     elution