contour

con·tour

Use contour in a sentence

noun

The definition of contour is the outline of something, such as of a social or geographic boundary.

Behaviors that are within the bounds of what is socially acceptable are examples of behaviors that fit within the contours of society.
The outline of the mountains seen in the distance is an example of the contour of the mountains.

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"contour." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 05 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/contour>.

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contour. (n.d.). Retrieved December 05th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/contour

contour

the general shape or form of a figure, configuration, etc.: the rounded contours of the foothills
the outline of such a shape

Origin of contour

French from Italian contorno from Late Latin contornare, to go around from Classical Latin com-, intensive + tornare, to turn in a lathe: see turn

to make a contour or outline of
to mark contour lines on
to shape or mold to conform to the contour of something: a chair contoured to fit the body
to construct (a road, etc.) in accordance with natural contours

made so as to conform to the shape or outline of something: contour sheets for a bed
characterized by the making of furrows along the natural contour lines so as to avoid erosion, as on a hillside: contour farming

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MLA Style

"contour." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 05 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/contour>.

APA Style

contour. (n.d.). Retrieved December 05th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/contour

contour

noun

a. The outline of a figure, body, or mass. See Synonyms at form.
b. A line that represents such an outline. See Synonyms at outline.
A contour line.
a. A varying characteristic or quality of something, such as a melody.
b. Linguistics The distinctive rising and falling patterns of pitch, tone, or stress.

transitive verb

con·toured, con·tour·ing, con·tours

To make or shape the outline of; represent in contour.
To build (a road, for example) to follow the contour of the land.

adjective

Following the contour lines of uneven terrain to limit erosion of topsoil: contour plowing.
Shaped to fit the outline or form of something: a contour sheet.

Origin of contour

French alteration ( influenced by tour turn ) of Italian contorno from contornare to draw in outline Latin com- intensive pref. ; see com- . Latin tornāre to round off ( from tornus lathe ) ( from Greek tornos ; see terə-¹ in Indo-European roots.)

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"contour." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 05 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/contour>.

APA Style

contour. (n.d.). Retrieved December 05th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/contour

Noun

(plural contours)

An outline, boundary or border, usually of curved shape.
The low drag contour of a modern automobile.
A line on a map or chart delineating those points which have the same altitude or other plotted quantity: a contour line or isopleth.
(linguistics) a speech sound which behaves as a single segment, but which makes an internal transition from one quality, place, or manner to another.