Meaning of contour in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Definitions
  3. Noun
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈkɑnˌtʊr/

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    UK accent Play button

  1. Verb

    contour

    Definitions

    1. form the contours of

    Derived terms

  2. Noun

    contour

    Etymology

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

    Definitions

    1. a line drawn on a map connecting points of equal height
  3. 2. any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

    Examples

    • « he could barely make out their shapes through the smoke »

    Derived terms

  4. 3. a feature (or the order or arrangement of features) of anything having a complex structure

    Examples

    • « the contours of the melody »
    • « it defines a major contour of this administration »

Famous quotes

  • « As an architect, I learned to think and express myself on flat forms, on paper, and to imagine the contour of the lines of a design. »
    Gianfranco Ferre

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