contour

¹con·tour

noun \ˈkän-ˌtu̇r\

Definition of CONTOUR

1

: an outline especially of a curving or irregular figure : shape; also : the line representing this outline

2

: the general form or structure of something : characteristic —often used in plural <contours of a melody>

3

: a usually meaningful change in intonation in speech

Examples of CONTOUR

1. He loved the sleek contours of the car.
2. The map showed the contour of the coastline.

Origin of CONTOUR

French, from Italian contorno, from contornare to round off, from Medieval Latin, to turn around, from Latin com- + tornare to turn on a lathe — more at turn

First Known Use: 1662

Related to CONTOUR

Synonyms: outline, figure, silhouette

Related Words: delineation, sketch; profile, skyline; cast, configuration, conformation, form, geometry, shape; framework, skeleton

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See Synonym Discussion at outline

Rhymes with CONTOUR

abjure, adjure, Adour, allure, amour, Ashur, assure, brochure, ceinture, cocksure, coiffure, conjure, couture, demure, detour, dirt-poor, endure, ensure, faubourg, for sure, Fraktur, grandeur, gravure, guipure, hachure, immure, impure, insure, inure, kultur, land-poor, langur, ligure, manure, mature, mohur, obscure, parure, perdure, procure, rondure, secure, siddur, tambour, tandoor, tenure, Uighur, unmoor, velour, velure