silhouette
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silhouette
The outline of a person or object that is visible as a dark shape against a lighter background.
Bei Sonnenuntergang zeichnete sich die Silhouette der Berge scharf gegen den Himmel ab.
At sunset, the silhouette of the mountains stood out sharply against the sky.
silhouette
A shadow-outline portrait, typically made as a delicate paper cutout from black paper and mounted on a light background.
Im Museum hing eine beeindruckende Sammlung von Silhouetten aus dem 18. Jahrhundert.
An impressive collection of silhouettes from the 18th century hung in the museum.
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about landscapes, buildings, or people in front of a light source (sky, sun), it means the outline. If it is about art, paper, or portraits, it means the paper cutout.
Die Silhouette der Stadt war beeindruckend.
The silhouette of the city was impressive.
The word 'Silhouette' (silhouette) is often used in figurative or literary language to create an atmospheric, visual description.
Im Mondlicht war nur die unheimliche Silhouette des alten Baumes zu sehen.
In the moonlight, only the eerie silhouette of the old tree could be seen.
In the meaning 'Umriss' (outline), 'Silhouette' (silhouette) is often used with the verb 'sich abzeichnen' (to stand out / to be outlined). Typical contexts are 'im Gegenlicht' (backlit), 'gegen den Himmel' (against the sky), or 'im Nebel' (in the fog).
Die Silhouette des Wanderers zeichnete sich auf dem Berggipfel ab.
The silhouette of the hiker stood out on the mountaintop.
In the meaning 'Scherenschnitt' (paper cutout), 'Silhouette' (silhouette) is an art form. Typical collocations are 'eine Silhouette anfertigen' (to make a silhouette), 'aus schwarzem Papier schneiden' (to cut out of black paper), or 'ein Porträt als Silhouette' (a portrait as a silhouette).
Die Künstlerin kann in wenigen Minuten eine perfekte Silhouette von einer Person schneiden.
The artist can cut a perfect silhouette of a person in just a few minutes.
figure / shape
Gestalt refers to a person or object that may be perceived only as a vague shape. Silhouette more specifically means a dark, solid outline against a lighter background. When this contrast is especially important, Silhouette is the better choice; otherwise, Gestalt is the more general term.
Vor dem hellen Fenster konnte ich nur die dunkle Silhouette der Person erkennen.
Against the bright window, I could make out only the person’s dark silhouette.
Im dunklen Flur konnte ich nur eine undeutliche Gestalt erkennen.
In the dark hallway, I could make out only an indistinct figure.
