Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

contour

 - 6 dictionary results
Curv-O-Mark by Contour
Wraparound measuring tools for making straight lines around pipe.
WeldingSupply.com

con⋅tour

  [kon-toor]
Use contour in a Sentence
–noun
1. the outline of a figure or body; the edge or line that defines or bounds a shape or object.
2. contour line.
3. Phonetics. a distinctive pattern of changes in pitch, stress, or tone extending across all or part of an utterance, esp. across a sentence, and contributing to meaning.
–verb (used with object)
4. to mark with contour lines.
5. to make or form the contour or outline of.
6. to build (a road, railroad track, etc.) in conformity with the contour of the land.
7. to mold or shape so as to fit a certain configuration: cars with seats that are contoured for comfort.
–adjective
8. molded or shaped to fit a particular contour or form: contour seats.
9. Agriculture. of or used in a system of plowing, cultivating, sowing, etc., along the contour lines of the land in order to trap water runoff and prevent erosion.
Origin:
1655–65; < F, equiv. to con- con- + tour a turn (see tour ), modeled on It contorno, deriv. of contornare to outline; see turn

Synonyms:
1. configuration, form, boundary.
Curv-O-Mark by Contour
Wraparound measuring tools for making straight lines around pipe.
WeldingSupply.com

contour line

 
–noun
1. a line joining points of equal elevation on a surface.
2. the representation of such a line on a map.
3. Mathematics. a line parallel to a trace. Compare trace 1 (def. 11).
Also called contour, level curve, level line.

Origin:
1835–45
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To contour
con·tour   (kŏn'tŏŏr')   
n.  

    1. The outline of a figure, body, or mass.

    2. A line that represents such an outline. See Synonyms at form, outline.

  2. A surface, especially of a curving form. Often used in the plural.

  3. A contour line.

  4. Linguistics The distinctive rising and falling patterns of pitch, tone, or stress.

tr.v.   con·toured, con·tour·ing, con·tours

  1. To make or shape the outline of; represent in contour.

  2. To build (a road, for example) to follow the contour of the land.

adj.  

  1. Following the contour lines of uneven terrain to limit erosion of topsoil: contour plowing.

  2. Shaped to fit the outline or form of something: a contour sheet.


[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, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

contour 
1662, a term in painting and sculpture, from Fr. contour "circumference, outline," from M.L. contornare "to go around," from L. com- intens. prefix + tornare "to turn in a lathe," from tornus "lathe" (see turn). First recorded application to topography is from 1769.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 1con·tour
Pronunciation: 'kän-"tu(&)r
Function: noun
: an outline especially of a curving or irregular figure;also : the line representing this outline

Main Entry: 2contour
Function: transitive verb
: to shape the contour of <contour a gingiva in gingivoplasty>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see contour on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way