n. & v.
n. 1 a short descriptive essay or character sketch. 2 an illustration or decorative design, esp. on the title-page of a book, not enclosed in a definite border. 3 a photograph or portrait showing only the head and shoulders with the background gradually shaded off.
v.tr. 1 make a portrait of (a person) in vignette style. 2 shade off (a photograph or portrait). vignettist n.
[ F, dimin. of vigne VINE ]