Delineative

The adjective 'delineative' describes something that serves to define, outline, or portray something precisely and clearly. It emphasizes the process of making something distinct, often through the use of details, characteristics, or boundaries. A delineative approach seeks to provide a sharp, unambiguous representation, highlighting the essential features or limitations of a subject. This can apply to descriptions, arguments, artworks, or even conceptual frameworks. It is related to providing a structure or a frame and helps create a clear understanding or vision for the subject.

Delineative meaning with examples

• The historian's meticulous research provided a delineative account of the political intrigue, revealing the power dynamics that shaped the historical period. His writing was considered authoritative because of the precise depiction of events. He used detailed descriptions of actions, motivations, and outcomes which gave a rich picture of the machinations behind the throne and provided the readers with a complete understanding.
• The architect's delineative drawings clearly demonstrated the building's design, including every structural element and material choice. These highly detailed schematics, with their focus on the relationship between spatial elements, clearly conveyed the construction and usage of the spaces, allowing the client to visualize the building's form. These helped the client to see how the building met their requirements.
• The scientist utilized a delineative methodology, specifying the experimental parameters in exhaustive detail to ensure reproducibility of their results. Each step of the process and the equipment required, had to be precisely defined so the data was clear. Without the care used in the delineative design it would have been difficult to repeat, test and reproduce their experiments.
• The legal document presented a delineative contract, specifying the obligations of each party with extreme clarity, leaving no room for misinterpretation. The use of delineative descriptions of each section minimized ambiguity and potential disputes, allowing everyone to know what they would be held accountable for. This process was critical to ensuring that each party was fully informed.

Delineative Synonyms

characterizing, definitional, definitive, descriptive, detailed, explanatory, explicit, illustrative, precise, specific

Delineative Antonyms

ambiguous, general, implicit, imprecise, indefinite, obscure, unclear, undefined, vague

Delineative Crossword Answers

9 Letters

DEPICTIVE