outline
UK[ˈaʊtlaɪn]US[ˈaʊtlaɪn]
n
the main shape or edge of something, without the details
n
a description of the main facts or points involved in something
v
to describe something, for example a plan or idea, in a general way without giving all the details
v
to draw or show the outer edge or shape of something
Morpheme Breakdown
out
line
out
line
Etymology
the word "outline" is a compound formed from two english elements of distinct origins. the first element, "out," derives from old english "ūt," meaning "outward" or "outside," which has a proto-germanic ancestry. the second element, "line," entered english from old french "ligne," which itself came from latin "linea," meaning a linen thread or a string, used to denote a mark or stroke. the literal combination, "outer line," originally referred to the line marking the outer boundary or contour of a figure. over time, this concrete meaning expanded metaphorically to describe a summary or general plan that defines the boundaries or main points of a subject, abstracting the concept from a physical edge to a conceptual framework.
Analysis
Structure: out + line
out (old english): a word-forming element meaning "outward, external, outside, beyond."
line (latin via old english): from latin 'linea' meaning "linen thread, string, line."
Examples
she could see the dark outline of the mountains against the sky.
he gave us a brief outline of the company's history.
the document outlines our responsibilities and procedures.