sketch n. - 1 A rough drawing: Rembrandt's sketches for his paintings. 2 A short description in words: a sketch of life in the 1890s. 3 a short humorous part of a longer show on stage, television or radio: I thought the sketch about Queen Victoria was very funny.
Dutch 'schets', Ital. 'schizzo', from 'schizzare', to splash; perhaps from Lat. 'schedium', extemporaeous poem, Gk. 'schedios', temporary, extemporaneous.