line drawing

English

a line drawing of a fox.

Etymology

From line +‎ drawing. First use appears c. 1891. The figurative sense is a deverbal form of the expression draw the line. The exact date of its first appearance is uncertain.

Noun

line drawing (plural line drawings)

1. (art) A pen or pencil drawing consisting only of solid lines.

   Synonym: line art

2. (US, law, figurative) The process of establishing a specific boundary, distinction or limit in regard to prescribing the best legal rule.

Quotations

• For quotations using this term, see Citations:line drawing.