the line which marks the outer limits of an object or figure; the exterior line or edge; contour.-in art: a line drawn by pencil, pen, graver, or the like, by which the boundary of a figure is indicated.-a sketch composed of such lines; the delineation of a figure without shading.-fig.: a sketch of any scheme; a preliminary or general indication of a plan, system, course of thought, etc.; as, the outline of a speech.-to draw the outline of.-fig.: to sketch out or indicate as by an outline; as, to outline an argument or a campaign.