contour

 
Pronunciation: /ˈkɒntʊə/

noun

  • 1 (usually contours) an outline representing or bounding the shape or form of something: she traced the contours of his face with her finger figurative challenges that have shaped the contours of European integration
  • an outline of a natural feature such as a hill: the road climbs steadily, following the contours of the hillside
  • short for contour line. below the 1200-ft contour is a belt of limestone
  • a line joining points on a diagram at which some property has the same value: the figure shows contours of 21-cm line emission of atomic hydrogen
  • 2a way in which something varies, especially the pitch of music or the pattern of tones in an utterance.

verb

[with object]
  • 1mould into a specific shape, especially one designed to fit into something else: the compartment has been contoured with smooth rounded corners (as adjective contoured) the contoured leather seats
  • 2mark (a map or diagram) with contour lines: (as adjective contoured) a huge contoured map
  • 3(of a road or railway) follow the outline of (a topographical feature), especially along a contour line: the road contours the hillside

Origin:

mid 17th century: from French, from Italian contorno, from contornare 'draw in outline', from con- 'together'+ tornare 'to turn'