wireframe

A visual model of an electronic representation of a three-dimensional object as defined geometrically by line segments.

Noun

  1. A visual model of an electronic representation of a three-dimensional object as defined geometrically by line segments.
    • A wireframe is transparent in nature, requiring some skill and expertise in interpreting the model. - 2001, Philip D. Rufe, Fundamentals of Manufacturing, →ISBN, page 153:

    Hypernyms: model

    Coordinate Terms: solid model

  2. A basic visual guide used to suggest the layout of fundamental elements in a web interface.
    • Wireframes should be simple sketches that you can quickly revise and not get attached to. - 2003, Andrew Chak, Submit Now: Designing Persuasive Web Sites, →ISBN, page 306:

    Hypernyms: mock-up

Origin

From wire + frame. The figurative use is extended from the literal (pre-computing and non-computing) concept of a wire frame, a frame made of wire.

Forms

wireframes wire frame wire-frame

Related

CAD/CAM explicit modeling

Verb

  1. To generate a wireframe representation
    • She'd barely wireframed it, here, and there was no there there, no interiority. - 2003, William Gibson, Idoru, page 35:
  2. To prepare a wireframe for a website
    • There are a few lists you should make before you start wireframing. - 2006, Daniel M. Brown, Communicating Design, →ISBN, page 290:

Forms

wireframes wireframing wireframed wire frame wire-frame

Derived

wireframed wireframer