A representation or portrayal through acting, imitation, gesture, etc. Also: †a mental image or idea; a type, an exemplar (obsolete).

a vivid description in words, presenting the described object to the mind like a picture; cf. word painting, n.

transferred and figurative. Esp. a short literary sketch or portrait; a small character part that stands out from the other minor parts. Frequently…

transferred. A drawing or sketch of the size of the thumbnail; hence figurative a brief word-picture. Chiefly attributive, as thumbnail sketch.

A brief verbal description of a person, place, etc.; a short descriptive or evocative episode in a play, etc.

A literary sketch, esp. one of a superficial nature (with allusion to the subdued and impressionistic nature of a drawing in pastels).