Synonyms for contour


Grammar : Noun
Spell : kon-toor
Phonetic Transcription : ˈkɒn tʊər


Définition of contour

Origin :
  • 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.
  • noun outline, profile
Example sentences :
  • Her contour was rather square than oblong, and she was very heavy.
  • Extract from : « Meadow Grass » by Alice Brown
  • If ever he praised a limb, a tint, a contour, it was solely from the artistic point of view.
  • Extract from : « His Masterpiece » by Emile Zola
  • A scanty growth of whisker did not conceal the contour of his jaw.
  • Extract from : « End of the Tether » by Joseph Conrad
  • “I wonder you had the heart to risk spoiling its contour,” she said resentfully.
  • Extract from : « Olive in Italy » by Moray Dalton
  • The circumference of the crest on the 10,000-foot contour is nearly seven miles.
  • Extract from : « The Mountain that was 'God' » by John H. Williams
  • It was a contour map, giving the hills, sand reaches, and groves.
  • Extract from : « The Pirate of Panama » by William MacLeod Raine
  • But the features were nonhuman, closer to saurian in contour.
  • Extract from : « Storm Over Warlock » by Andre Norton
  • And the contour of the cliff was plainly visible in front of it.
  • Extract from : « The White Invaders » by Raymond King Cummings
  • There were no lines, nothing lost, nothing hardened in contour.
  • Extract from : « Athalie » by Robert W. Chambers
  • Sometimes the contour of the country drove him into the open or down into hollows.
  • Extract from : « Brand Blotters » by William MacLeod Raine

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019