To describe or portray something precisely and in detail, often by drawing clear boundaries or distinctions. It can mean both literal drawing and figurative description.
From Latin 'delineare,' meaning 'to draw lines' (de- 'completely' + lineare 'to draw lines' from 'linea' meaning 'line'). Originally used for literal drawing or sketching, it expanded to mean any precise description that creates clear mental boundaries.
Picture an artist drawing clear 'lines' to outline a figure - that's literally what delineate means! When you delineate an argument, you're drawing clear lines around your ideas so others can see their exact shape.
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