n. & v.
n. 1 a rough draft of a diagram, plan, proposal, etc. 2 a a précis of a proposed novel, article, etc. b a verbal description of essential parts only; a summary. 3 a sketch containing only contour lines. 4 (in sing. or pl.) a lines enclosing or indicating an object (the outline of a shape under the blankets). b a contour. c an external boundary. 5 (in pl.) the main features or general principles (the outlines of a plan). 6 the representation of a word in shorthand.
v.tr. 1 draw or describe in outline. 2 mark the outline of. in outline sketched or represented as an outline.