Definition of DELINEATES (original) (raw)
1
: to describe, portray, or set forth with accuracy or in detail
delineate a character in the story
delineate the steps to be taken by the government
2
a
: to indicate or represent by drawn or painted lines
b
: to mark the outline of
lights delineating the narrow streets
Synonyms
Examples of delineate in a Sentence
He plants his skates millimeters outside the blue-tinted 44-square-foot arena that delineates the crease and refuses to budge … —
Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated, 21 May 2007 Screenwriter Christopher Hampton introduces a large gallery of characters, subtly delineating the unspoken class biases that will keep Robbie, for all his confidence, charm and Cambridge education, an outsider. —David Ansen, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2007 So Madrid finally ordered Onís to cut the best deal he could. The resulting Transcontinental (or Adams-Onís) Treaty of 1819 ceded Florida to the United States and delineated the boundary between American and Spanish territory all the way to the Pacific Ocean … —Walter A. McDougall, Promised Land, Crusader State, 1997 Privacy plays a unique role in American law. Although considered a core value by most citizens, it is not explicitly delineated as a protected right by the U.S. Constitution. —Edward A. Cavazos et al., Cyberspace and the Law, 1994
The report clearly delineates the steps that must be taken. The characters in the story were carefully delineated.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The goal: assimilate tribes into mainstream society and eliminate the government's trust responsibilities to tribes as delineated in treaties, executive orders and legislation. —Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 25 Oct. 2024 Prices were based on condition, the fame of the work, and the scarcity of the copy on sale—a scale delineated, in order of increasing expense, by such descriptors as significant, pivotal, seminal, stunning, very rare, exceedingly rare, and extremely rare. —Tad Friend, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024 With its new, elevated brand in place, Grand Seiko proceeded to inundate the market with watches showcasing gorgeous dials celebrating the seemingly countless micro-seasons delineated in Japan. —Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2024 Inattention is one of the three key symptoms of ADHD, as delineated in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). —Antonia Bowring, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for delineate 
Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Latin dēlīneātus, past participle of dēlīneāre "to trace the outline of," from dē- de- + līneāre "to make straight, mark with lines," derivative of līnea "string, cord, line entry 1"
First Known Use
1559, in the meaning defined at sense 2a
Time Traveler
The first known use of delineate was in 1559
Dictionary Entries Near delineate
Cite this Entry
“Delineate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delineate. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.
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Last Updated: 3 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences
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