the outline of a figure or body; the edge or line that defines or bounds a shape or object.
contour line.
Phonetics. a distinctive pattern of changes in pitch, stress, or tone extending across all or part of an utterance, especially across a sentence, and contributing to meaning.
verb (used with object)
to mark with contour lines.
to make or form the contour or outline of.
to build (a road, railroad track, etc.) in conformity with the contour of the land.
to mold or shape so as to fit a certain configuration: cars with seats that are contoured for comfort.
to apply foundation and bronzer along the natural bone structure of (the face) to create definition: ways to contour your nose.
adjective
molded or shaped to fit a particular contour or form: contour seats.
Agriculture. of or used in a system of plowing, cultivating, sowing, etc., along the contour lines of the land in order to trap water runoff and prevent erosion.
Origin of contour
First recorded in 1655–65; from French, equivalent to con- + tour “a turn,” modeled on Italian contorno, derivative of contornare “to outline”; see origin at con-, tour,turn
SYNONYMS FOR contour
1 configuration, form, boundary.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR contour ON THESAURUS.COM
OTHER WORDS FROM contour
re·con·tour,verb (used with object)un·con·toured,adjective
There’s a broader struggle still underway over the contours of the regional order, and that is partly what motivates him.
Erdogan Pitches Himself as Muslim World’s New Leader|Charu Kasturi|September 10, 2020|Ozy
Because Kydex can snap around the blade’s rear and the handle’s contours, the material can be used to retain a knife in a variety of positions, including upside down, while still allowing you to quickly deploy it using a single hand.
Three Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a Knife|Wes Siler|September 3, 2020|Outside Online
Leather looks nice and lasts a lifetime, but it can’t retain a knife with the security of Kydex, a type of plastic that’s heat-molded to fit the exact contours of a specific knife model.
Three Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a Knife|Wes Siler|September 3, 2020|Outside Online
It uses 3D laser-sensor technology, also known as lidar, to capture the contours of a gymnast’s body.
A robot referee can really keep its ‘eye’ on the ball|Kathryn Hulick|August 20, 2020|Science News For Students
Magnetic field lines, imaginary contours that indicate the direction of the magnetic field at various locations, loop and cross over one another like well-mixed spaghetti.
The physics of solar flares could help scientists predict imminent outbursts|Emily Conover|July 30, 2020|Science News
The bank notes no longer crinkled when he walked; they had taken the contour of his hairy chest.
A Village of Vagabonds|F. Berkeley Smith
Perhaps the contour has been destroyed by the action of wind and weather.
A Visit to the Holy Land, Egypt, and Italy|Ida Pfeiffer
The contour of the face expresses the most powerful command, and exalted, boundless, expansion of thought.
The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, No. 487|Various
Could you give us a description of the contour of the bullet, and its length?
Warren Commission (3 of 26): Hearings Vol. III (of 15)|The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
Primaries eleven; fifth secondary wanting; after shaft to contour feathers present.
British Birds in their Haunts|Rev. C. A. Johns
British Dictionary definitions for contour
contour
/ (ˈkɒntʊə) /
noun
the outline of a mass of land, figure, or body; a defining line
See contour line
(as modifier)a contour map
(often plural)the shape or surface, esp of a curving formthe contours of her body were full and round
(modifier)shaped to fit the form of somethinga contour chair
a rising and falling variation pattern, as in music and intonation
verb(tr)
to shape so as to form the contour of something
to mark contour lines on
to construct (a road, railway, etc) to follow the outline of the land
Word Origin for contour
C17: from French, from Italian contorno, from contornare to sketch, from tornare to turn