Main Entry: lin·e·a·ment

Pronunciation: \ˈli-nē-ə-mənt\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin lineamentum, from lineare to draw a line, from linea

Date: 15th century

1 a : an outline, feature, or contour of a body or figure and especially of a face —usually used in plural b : a linear topographic feature (as of the earth) that reveals a characteristic (as a fault or the subsurface structure)
2 : a distinguishing or characteristic feature —usually used in plural

— lin·e·a·men·tal \ˌli-nē-ə-ˈmen-t^əl\ adjective