Meaning of contour in English

1. Pronunciation

   /ˈkɑnˌtʊr/

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   UK accent

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1. Verb

   contour

   Definitions

   1. form the contours of

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 »
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 »