DELINEATION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does delineation mean? 

• DELINEATION (noun)
  The noun DELINEATION has 3 senses:

1. a graphic or vivid verbal description

2. a drawing of the outlines of forms or objects

3. representation by drawing or painting etc

  Familiarity information: DELINEATION used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DELINEATION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A graphic or vivid verbal description

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

characterisation; characterization; delineation; depiction; picture; word-painting; word picture

Context example:

the pamphlet contained brief characterizations of famous Vermonters

Hypernyms ("delineation" is a kind of...):

description; verbal description (a statement that represents something in words)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "delineation"):

epithet (descriptive word or phrase)

portrait; portraiture; portrayal (a word picture of a person's appearance and character)

Derivation:

delineate (describe in vivid detail)

delineate (determine the essential quality of)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A drawing of the outlines of forms or objects

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

delineation; depiction; limning; line drawing

Hypernyms ("delineation" is a kind of...):

drawing (a representation of forms or objects on a surface by means of lines)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "delineation"):

animalization (a depiction in the form of an animal)

Derivation:

delineate (make a mark or lines on a surface)

delineate (trace the shape of)

delineate (show the form or outline of)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Representation by drawing or painting etc

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

delineation; depiction; portrayal

Hypernyms ("delineation" is a kind of...):

pictorial representation; picturing (visual representation as by photography or painting)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "delineation"):

portraiture (the activity of making portraits)

Derivation:

delineate (make a mark or lines on a surface)

delineate (trace the shape of)

delineate (show the form or outline of)

 Context examples 

Significant progress has been made towards delineation of the intrinsic molecular processes that regulate B lymphocyte immune function.

(BCR Signaling Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

Delineation of the signaling mechanisms utilized by CXCR4 may assist in determining the role of CXCR4 in HIV infection and in the immune response.

(CXCR4 Signaling Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

This is a gentle delineation, is it not, reader?

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Delineation of the bowel is thus enhanced, distinguishing bowel from organs and tissues adjacent to the upper regions of the gastrointestinal tract.

(Ferumoxsil Oral Suspension, NCI Thesaurus)

Substances administered during imaging procedures that allows delineation of internal structures.

(Contrast Agent, NCI Thesaurus)

Uncertain delineation of cortex areas has sometimes led to shaky comparability of brain imaging findings.

(Connectome map more than doubles human cortex’s known regions, NIH)

It is only Cecilia, or Camilla, or Belinda; or, in short, only some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humour, are conveyed to the world in the best-chosen language.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

Of the Alps and Pyrenees, with their pine forests and their vices, they might give a faithful delineation; and Italy, Switzerland, and the south of France might be as fruitful in horrors as they were there represented.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)