- Sketch
- Sketch Sketch, n. [D. schets, fr. It. schizzo a sketch, a
splash (whence also F. esquisse; cf. {Esquisse}.); cf. It.
schizzare to splash, to sketch.]
An outline or general delineation of anything; a first rough
or incomplete draught or plan of any design; especially, in
the fine arts, such a representation of an object or scene as
serves the artist's purpose by recording its chief features;
also, a preliminary study for an original work.
[1913 Webster]
Syn: Outline; delineation; draught; plan; design.
Usage: {Sketch}, {Outline}, {Delineation}. An outline gives only the bounding lines of some scene or picture. A sketch fills up the outline in part, giving broad touches, by which an imperfect idea may be conveyed. A delineation goes further, carrying out the more striking features of the picture, and going so much into detail as to furnish a clear conception of the whole. Figuratively, we may speak of the outlines of a plan, of a work, of a project, etc., which serve as a basis on which the subordinate parts are formed, or of sketches of countries, characters, manners, etc., which give us a general idea of the things described. --Crabb. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.