Sketch (?), n. [D. schets, fr. It. schizzo a sketch, a splash (whence also F. esquisse; cf. Esquisse.); cf. It. schizzare to splash, to sketch.]
An outline or general delineation of anything; a first rough or incomplete draught or plan of any design; especially, in the fine arts, such a representation of an object or scene as serves the artist's purpose by recording its chief features; also, a preliminary study for an original work.
Syn. -- Outline; delineation; draught; plan; design. -- Sketch, Outline, Delineation. An outline gives only the bounding lines of some scene or picture. A sketch fills up the outline in part, giving broad touches, by which an imperfect idea may be conveyed. A delineation goes further, carrying out the more striking features of the picture, and going so much into detail as to furnish a clear conception of the whole. Figuratively, we may speak of the outlines of a plan, of a work, of a project, etc., which serve as a basis on which the subordinate parts are formed, or of sketches of countries, characters, manners, etc., which give us a general idea of the things described.
Crabb.
© Webster 1913.
Sketch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sketched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Sketching.] [Cf D. schetsen, It. schizzare. See Sketch, n.]
1.
To draw the outline or chief features of; to make a rought of.
2.
To plan or describe by giving the principal points or ideas of.
Syn. -- To delineate; design; draught; depict.
© Webster 1913.
Sketch, v. i.
To make sketches, as of landscapes.
© Webster 1913.