The word "silhouette" is spelled as /ˌsɪl.uːˈet/ in IPA phonetic transcription. It is believed to have originated from the name of Etienne de Silhouette, a French finance minister in the 18th century. The spelling of the word includes the silent "h" after "l", which is typical of many French loanwords in English. The pronunciation of the word emphasizes the long "e" sound in the second syllable and the stress falling on the second syllable, making it sound like "sil-oo-ET."
Silhouette refers to a dark or solid outline or shape that appears in contrast to its surroundings, typically against a lighter background or a source of light. This term is commonly used in various contexts, such as art, photography, fashion, and design.
In art, a silhouette is the representation of an object, figure, or scene as a solid, black shape, often without any internal details or color variation. It is created by outlining the external contours of the subject, resulting in a stark contrast between the foreground and the background. Silhouettes are often used to simplify the form or to create a striking visual presence.
In photography, a silhouette is captured by positioning the subject in front of a bright light source, such as the sun or a window, resulting in a dark, shadowy figure with minimal detail. This technique is often employed to create dramatic or mysterious images.
In fashion and design, a silhouette refers to the overall shape or outline that a garment, accessory, or object creates when worn or displayed. It helps define and characterize the style, cut, and aesthetics of an item, whether it is a dress, hat, building, or piece of furniture.
Overall, a silhouette is a distinct, often black or dark, outline or shape that stands out against a lighter background or is formed by a source of light. It is widely used in various fields to convey style, form, and visual impact.
The outline of an object filled in with a black colour; a profile or side face represented as a solid black mass.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "silhouette" dates back to the 18th century and originates from the name of Étienne de Silhouette, who was a French finance minister during the reign of Louis XV. Silhouette implemented severe economic policies, including imposing taxes and cutting expenses, which led to unpopularity. As a result, people began using the term "à la Silhouette" to describe things that were done cheaply or in a simplified manner.
Shortly after, this term was associated with the portrait profile cutouts made popular during that era. The art of creating these shadow profiles, often black in color, was referred to as "silhouette". Over time, the term "silhouette" became associated with any outline or shape that is dark and lacks detail.