Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - silhouette

n. & v. --n. 1 a representation of a person or thing showing the outline only, usu. done in solid black on white or cut from paper. 2 the dark shadow or outline of a person or thing against a lighter background. --v.tr. represent or (usu. in passive) show in silhouette. Phrases and idioms in silhouette seen or placed in outline. Etymology: {Eacute}tienne de Silhouette, Fr. author and politician d. 1767