contour
noun
[ ˈkɒntʊə ]
• an outline representing or bounding the shape or form of something.
• "she traced the contours of his face with her finger"
• a way in which something varies, especially the pitch of music or the pattern of tones in an utterance.
contour
verb
• mould into a specific shape, especially one designed to fit into something else.
• "the compartment has been contoured with smooth rounded corners"
• mark (a map or diagram) with contour lines.
• "a variety of different data sources have been compiled to contour the maps"
• (of a road or railway) follow the outline of (a topographical feature), especially along a contour line.
• "the road contours the hillside"
Origin:
mid 17th century: from French, from Italian contorno, from contornare ‘draw in outline’, from con- ‘together’ + tornare ‘to turn’.
