Contour

[kon-too r] /ˈkɒn tʊər/

noun
1.
the outline of a figure or body; the edge or line that defines or bounds a shape or object.
2.
.
3.
Phonetics. a distinctive pattern of changes in pitch, stress, or tone extending across all or part of an utterance, especially across a sentence, and contributing to meaning.
verb (used with object)
4.
to mark with .
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 of the land in order to trap water runoff and prevent erosion.
/ˈkɒntʊə/
noun
1.
the outline of a mass of land, figure, or body; a defining line
2.

3.
(often pl) the shape or surface, esp of a curving form: the contours of her body were full and round
4.
(modifier) shaped to fit the form of something: a contour chair
5.
a rising and falling variation pattern, as in music and intonation
verb (transitive)
6.
to shape so as to form the contour of something
7.
to mark contour lines on
8.
to construct (a road, railway, etc) to follow the outline of the land
n.

1660s, a term in painting and sculpture, from French contour “circumference, outline,” from Italian and Medieval Latin contornare “to go around,” from Latin com-, intensive prefix (see com-), + tornare “to turn (on a lathe);” see turn (v.).

First recorded application to topography is from 1769. Earlier the word was used to mean “bedspread, quilt” (early 15c.) in reference to its falling over the sides of the mattress. Related: Contoured. Contour line in geography is from 1844.