Origin: French suffix -ette
Silhouette has 6 different meanings across 2 categories:
an outline of a solid object (as cast by its shadow)
"The streetlamp cast a sharp silhouette of a cat curled up on the windowsill against the dark sky."
a drawing of the outline of an object; filled in with some uniform color
"The artist completed her sketch by filling the silhouette of the eagle with deep black ink against the white paper."
An illustrated outline filled in with a solid color(s), usually only black, and intended to represent the shape of an object without revealing any other visual details; a similar appearance produced when the object being viewed is situated in relative darkness with brighter lighting behind it; a profile portrait in black, such as a shadow appears to be.
"The artist created a striking silhouette of the dancer against the bright sunset window."
project on a background, such as a screen, like a silhouette
"The projector cast his dark silhouette onto the white wall behind him."
represent by a silhouette
"The artist chose to represent the famous landmark by its simple black silhouette against the sunset."
To represent by a silhouette; to project upon a background, so as to be like a silhouette.
"The dark trees seemed to cast their black shapes against the moonlit sky, effectively silhouetting them in the cool evening air."