delineation Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a graphic or vivid verbal description
    picture; characterization; characterisation; word picture; depiction; word-painting.
    • too often the narrative was interrupted by long word pictures
    • the author gives a depressing picture of life in Poland
    • the pamphlet contained brief characterizations of famous Vermonters
  2. noun a drawing of the outlines of forms or objects
    depiction; line drawing; limning.
  3. noun representation by drawing or painting etc
    depiction; portrayal.

WordNet

De*lin`e*a"tion noun
Etymology
L. delineatio: cf. F. délinéation.
Definitions
  1. The act of representing, portraying, or describing, as by lines, diagrams, sketches, etc.; drawing an outline; as, the delineation of a scene or face; in drawing and engraving, representation by means of lines, as distinguished from representation by means of tints shades; accurate and minute representation, as distinguished from art that is careless of details, or subordinates them excessively.
  2. A delineated picture; representation; sketch; description in words.
    Their softest delineations of female beauty. W. Irving.
    Syn. -- Sketch; portrait; outline. See Sketch.

Webster 1913