delineation

noun

de·​lin·​ea·​tion di-ˌli-nē-ˈā-shən 

dē-

1

: the act of outlining or representing something with lines or words : the act of delineating

the delineation of a scene

… the delineation of the territories allotted to the seven tribes of Israel …

—Adam Nicholson

2

: something made by delineating

a photographic delineation of low life

—T. S. Eliot

delineative

di-ˈli-nē-ˌā-tiv 

dē-

adjective

Synonyms

• cartoon
• drawing
• sketch

Example Sentences

his simple but striking delineations of Dutch landscapes

a finely wrought delineation of a young woman's first experience with romantic love

Recent Examples on the Web

Those all were signposts from the past, helpful for a moviegoing audience looking for a clear delineation between good and evil. —Los Angeles Times, 30 Nov. 2022

Bell found that there had been no delineation of responsibilities among the multiple ministers and there had been a risk of conflict if two ministers wanted to exercise the same power in different ways. —Rod Mcguirk, ajc, 25 Nov. 2022

Sharper theatrical delineation might have given the play greater resonance. —Charles Mcnultytheater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2022

Mo’s precarious legal status is palpable in most scenes, and is by far the clearest delineation point between the shows. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2022

And that, especially at this time of year, with two months remaining before the start of training camp, is a significant delineation. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 July 2022

In a contest in which each man called the other divisive and extreme, the delineation between Pritzker and Bailey was very clear. —Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2022

The end of Breaking Bad was very much a bright line, a clear delineation. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2022

As new scams emerge, those perpetrating them have continued to specialize and develop their ploys, leading to what McClellan describes as a delineation of scams by region. —Dan Carson, Chron, 21 Sep. 2022

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Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin dēlīneātiōn-, dēlīneātiō "description," from Latin dēlīneāre "to trace the outline of, delineate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1