contour
Etymology

Borrowed from French contour, from contourner, equivalent to con- + tour.

Pronunciation
  • IPA: /ˈkɒntʊə(ɹ)/, /-tɔː(ɹ)/
Noun

contour (plural contours)

  1. An outline, boundary or border, usually of curved shape.
    the low drag contour of a modern automobile
  2. A line on a map or chart delineating those points which have the same altitude or other plotted quantity: a contour line or isopleth; (metonymically) the landform or its surface.
    Synonyms: contour line
  3. (linguistics) a speech sound which behaves as a single segment, but which makes an internal transition from one quality, place, or manner to another.
    Hyponyms: diphthong, contour tone, affricate
  4. (figurative) A general description giving the most important points.
Translations Translations Verb

contour (contours, present participle contouring; simple past and past participle contoured)

  1. (transitive) To form a more or less curved boundary or border upon.
  2. (transitive) To mark with contour lines.
  3. (intransitive) To practise the makeup technique of contouring.



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