[lin.e.a.ment] n [ME, fr. L lineamentum, fr. lineare to draw a line, fr. linea] (15c) 1 a: an outline, feature, or contour of a body or figure and esp. of a face--usu. used in pl. b: a linear topographic feature (as of the earth or a planet) that reveals a characteristic (as a fault or the subsurface structure)
2: a distinguishing or characteristic feature--usu. used in pl. -- lin.e.a.men.tal adj