outline

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++out·line1 /ˈaʊtlaɪn/ ●●○ noun  1  SUMMARIZE[countable, uncountable] the main ideas or facts about something, without the details 纲要，梗概，要点 a research proposal outline 研究计划梗概outline of an outline of world history 世界史纲broad/rough/general outline a broad outline of the committee’s plans 委员会计划的一个粗略纲要in outline A debt reduction scheme was agreed in outline (=people agreed on its main points). 债务削减计划大致已经商定。2  CFSHAPE[countable, uncountable] a line around the edge of something which shows its shape 外形，轮廓outline of The outlines of animals were cut into the rock. 动物轮廓被刻在岩石上。 an outline map of Europe 欧洲略图in outline figures drawn in outline 人物的轮廓3  [countable]SUMMARIZE a plan for a piece of writing in which each new idea or fact is separately written down 提纲，纲要 Always write an outline for your essays. 写文章一定要先列个提纲。n COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 1: the main ideas or facts about something, without the detailsadjectivesa broad/general outline (=the main ideas or parts of something rather than all the details)The report gives only a broad outline of the company's performance.a brief outlineEach chapter begins with a brief outline of the topics covered in the chapter.a basic outlineI remembered the basic outline of the story, but not how it ended.a rough outline (=one that has no details and that might change)Thompson gave me a rough outline of what had happened at the previous meeting.the bare outline (=one with no details at all)The paragraph gives readers only the bare outline of Milton's life.verbsgive somebody an outlineThe leaflet gives you an outline of the Party's main policies.provide an outlineThe first chapter provides an outline of the theory of evolution.n COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 2: a line around the edge of something which shows its shapeadjectivesa vague/dim outline (=difficult to see)I could just make out a vague outline of a barn.a blurred outline (=unclear)Through the spaces between the bars he saw the blurred outline of the oil derrick high in the sky.a clear/sharp outlinePeeling off the tape after the paint has dried leaves a clear outline to the shapes.verbsdraw an outline First, I draw out the outline of the leaf onto paper, and start adding areas of colour.trace an outline (=draw the outline of something, usually with your finger or toe)She traced the outline of his lips with her fingers.outline + NOUNan outline mapan outline map of the islandan outline drawing/sketchOnce I am happy with the outline sketch, I start painting.

Examples from the Corpus

outline• In a short statement, Akers gave an outline of his plans for the company.• The book begins with an outline of the events that led to the First World War.• an outline agreement• In this paper I will give a broad outline of the research we have been doing.• A chalk outline of the victim's body was still visible on the sidewalk.• The opportunity to see a semantic net and dynamically generate outlines from it may help authors mold the desired document.• This chapter shows, in outline, the way money circulates through the economy.• This section will focus on solicitors' charges but will only consider them in outline.• In outline the tax is simple.• In the case of an overflow of note material, extra pages may easily be attached to the proposal outline.• Begin with a review of your proposal as prepared, using the proposal outline and the accompanying guidelines.• The note patternings are really very simple in rhythmic outline, very closely resembling those of early choral music.• Write a short outline covering the main points before you start on your essay.• The solid outline encloses the subset of the array that we were able to characterize fully.• On the envelopes had been stamped the outlines of Santa Claus, holly, and a reindeer.• The outline of a footprint was visible in the snow.in outline• The events are familiar, at least in outline , to most of the students.outline map• It opens with an outline map and the superimposition of the rather rigid zones used by the emergency planners.

Related topics: Visual

outline2 ●●○ verb [transitive]  1  SUMMARIZEto describe something in a general way, giving the main points but not the details 概述；提出…的纲要 The new president outlined plans to deal with crime, drugs, and education. 新总统概述了解决犯罪、毒品和教育问题的计划。2  AVSHAPEto show the edge of something, or draw around its edge, so that its shape is clear 画…的轮廓，描…的外形 a map with our property outlined in red 用红色勾画出我们住宅轮廓的地图 trees outlined against the sky 天空映衬下的树木轮廓n Grammar Outline is usually passive in this meaning.→ See Verb table

Examples from the Corpus

outline• The President outlined his peace plan for the Middle East.• Rosemary Verey, creator of Barnsley House in the Cotswolds outlined how to turn his looming hemlocks into topiary.• A possible way of minimising this difficulty is outlined in the following section on more general formative assessment.• Childhood insomnia is responsive to many of the suggestions outlined in this book.• He declined to provide a copy of the report but agreed to outline its contents.• We conclude by outlining likely future developments in residential child care.• This essay outlines the uses of comparative history as well as Mill's methods of agreement and difference.• Each member of staff received a letter outlining their responsibilities and duties.• The picture can then be outlined using seeds - peppers, coriander, melon, etc.• Plans outline where you want to go.

out·line1 noun →n COLLOCATIONS1 →n COLLOCATIONS2outline2 verb →n GRAMMAR1LDOCE OnlineChineseSyllable  

the ideas without or something, facts main the Corpus about

outline

I

out‧line¹ /ˈaʊtlaɪn/ noun
1. [uncountable and countable] the main ideas or facts about something, without the details:
    a research proposal outline
    outline of
    an outline of world history
    broad/rough/general outline
    a broad outline of the committee’s plans
    in outline
    A debt reduction scheme was agreed in outline (=people agreed on its main points).
2. [uncountable and countable] a line around the edge of something which shows its shape
    outline of
    The outlines of animals were cut into the rock.
    an outline map of Europe
    in outline
    figures drawn in outline
3. [countable] a plan for a piece of writing in which each new idea or fact is separately written down:
    Always write an outline for your essays.
     

COLLOCATIONS

(for Meaning 1)

■ adjectives
   ▪ a broad/general outline (=the main ideas or parts of something rather than all the details) The report gives only a broad outline of the company's performance.
   ▪ a brief outline Each chapter begins with a brief outline of the topics covered in the chapter.
   ▪ a basic outline I remembered the basic outline of the story, but not how it ended.
   ▪ a rough outline (=one that has no details and that might change) Thompson gave me a rough outline of what had happened at the previous meeting.
   ▪ the bare outline (=one with no details at all) The paragraph gives readers only the bare outline of Milton's life.
■ verbs
   ▪ give somebody an outline The leaflet gives you an outline of the Party's main policies.
   ▪ provide an outline The first chapter provides an outline of the theory of evolution.
     

COLLOCATIONS

(for Meaning 2)

■ adjectives
   ▪ a vague/dim outline (=difficult to see) I could just make out a vague outline of a barn.
   ▪ a blurred outline (=unclear) Through the spaces between the bars he saw the blurred outline of the oil derrick high in the sky.
   ▪ a clear/sharp outline Peeling off the tape after the paint has dried leaves a clear outline to the shapes.
■ verbs
   ▪ draw an outline First, I draw out the outline of the leaf onto paper, and start adding areas of colour.
   ▪ trace an outline (=draw the outline of something, usually with your finger or toe) She traced the outline of his lips with her fingers.
■ outline + NOUN
   ▪ an outline map an outline map of the island
   ▪ an outline drawing/sketch Once I am happy with the outline sketch, I start painting.

II

outline² verb [transitive]
1. to describe something in a general way, giving the main points but not the details:
    The new president outlined plans to deal with crime, drugs, and education.
2. [usually passive] to show the edge of something, or draw around its edge, so that its shape is clear:
    a map with our property outlined in red
    trees outlined against the sky