Word Study
contour
CIDE DICTIONARY
contour, n. [F. contour, fr. contourner to mark the outlines; con- + tourner to turn. See Turn.].
- The outline of a figure or body, or the line or lines representing such an outline; the line that bounds; periphery. [1913 Webster]"Titian's coloring and contours." [1913 Webster]
- The outline of a horizontal section of the ground, or of works of fortification. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
contour, n. & v.
--n.
1 an outline, esp. representing or bounding the shape or form of something.
2 the outline of a natural feature, e.g. a coast or mountain mass.
3 a line separating differently coloured parts of a design.
--v.tr.
1 mark with contour lines.
2 carry (a road or railway) round the side of a hill.
--n.
1 an outline, esp. representing or bounding the shape or form of something.
2 the outline of a natural feature, e.g. a coast or mountain mass.
3 a line separating differently coloured parts of a design.
--v.tr.
1 mark with contour lines.
2 carry (a road or railway) round the side of a hill.
Idiom
contour line a line on a map joining points of equal altitude. contour map a map marked with contour lines. contour ploughing ploughing along lines of constant altitude to minimize soil erosion.
Etymology
F f. It. contorno f. contornare draw in outline (as COM-, tornare turn)
THESAURUS
contour
broad lines, configuration, delineate, delineation, features, figuration, figure, framework, galbe, gestalt, limn, line, lineaments, lineation, lines, main features, outline, profile, relief, shapes, silhouette, skeleton, tournureROGET THESAURUS
contour
Outline
N outline, circumference, perimeter, periphery, ambit, circuit, lines tournure, contour, profile, silhouette, bounds, coast line, zone, belt, girth, band, baldric, zodiac, girdle, tyre, cingle, clasp, girt, cordon, circlet.Form
N form, figure, shape, conformation, configuration, make, formation, frame, construction, cut, set, build, trim, cut of one's jib, stamp, type, cast, mold, fashion, contour, structure, plasmature, feature, lineament, turn, phase, posture, attitude, pose, morphism, isomorphism, forming, formation, figuration, efformation, sculpture, plasmation, formed, plastic, fictile, formative, fluid, plasmic, isomorphous, pleomorphic, protean, changeable.Appearance
N appearance, phenomenon, sight, spectacle, show, premonstration, scene, species, view, coup d'oeil, lookout, outlook, prospect, vista, perspective, bird's-eye view, scenery, landscape, picture, tableau, display, exposure, mise en sc ne, rising of the curtain, phantasm, phantom, pageant, spectacle, peep-show, raree-show, gallanty-show, ombres chinoises, magic lantern, phantasmagoria, dissolving views, biograph, cinematograph, moving pictures, panorama, diorama, cosmorama, georama, coup de theatre, jeu de theatre, pageantry, insignia, aspect, angle, phase, phasis, seeming, shape, guise, look, complexion, color, image, mien, air, cast, carriage, port, demeanor, presence, expression, first blush, face of the thing, point of view, light, lineament feature trait lines, outline, outside, contour, face, countenance, physiognomy, visage, phiz, cast of countenance, profile, tournure, cut of one s jib, metoposcopy, outside, apparent, seeming, ostensible, on view, apparently, to all seeming, to all appearance, ostensibly, seemingly, as it seems, on the face of it, prima facie, at the first blush, at first sight, in the eyes of, to the eye, editio princeps.For further exploring for "contour" in Webster Dictionary Online
