gestrichelte

Gestrichelte is a German adjective used to describe something that is composed of short dashes rather than a solid stroke. The form derives from the noun Strich or related terms for a dash or line and is commonly used to specify a dashed pattern in visual representations. In practice, the phrase gestrichelte Linien or gestrichelte Konturen denotes lines whose segments are separated by small gaps.

Gestrichelte is widely used across fields such as cartography, engineering, graphic design, and user interface design. In technical drawings and CAD, dashed lines often indicate edges or features that are hidden from view, are provisional, or represent separate components. In maps, dashed lines might mark borders, planned routes, or boundaries that are not physically present in the current landscape. In graphic design and typography, gestrichelte Muster or gestrichelte Rahmen can create a lighter, less dominant visual element compared with solid lines.

Grammatical notes: gestrichelte agrees with feminine or plural nouns, as in eine gestrichelte Linie (a dashed line), gestrichelte Linien (dashed lines), eine gestrichelte Kontur, ein gestrichelter Rahmen, or das gestrichelte Muster. The corresponding antonym is solid oder durchgezogen, and in German usage, dotted patterns are described as punktiert rather than gestrichelt.

The term is primarily descriptive and does not denote a separate object beyond the characteristic dash-based pattern. It is often used in style guides, design documentation, and technical manuals to convey the visual appearance of lines or borders.