Lexic.us

Definition of Contour

1. Noun. A line drawn on a map connecting points of equal height.

2. Verb. Form the contours of.

3. Noun. Any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline). "He could barely make out their shapes"

4. Noun. A feature (or the order or arrangement of features) of anything having a complex structure. "It defines a major contour of this administration"

Definition of Contour

1. n. The outline of a figure or body, or the line or lines representing such an outline; the line that bounds; periphery.

Definition of Contour

1. Noun. An outline, boundary or border, usually of curved shape. ¹

2. Noun. A line on a map or chart delineating those points which have the same altitude or other plotted quantity: a contour line or isopleth. ¹

3. Noun. (linguistics) a speech sound which behaves as a single segment, but which makes an internal transition from one quality, place, or manner to another. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Contour

1. to make the outline of [v -ED, -ING, -S]

Medical Definition of Contour

1. 1. The outline of a part; the surface configuration. 2. In dentistry, to restore the normal outlines of a broken or otherwise misshapen tooth, or to create the external shape or form of a prosthesis. Origin: L. Con-(intens.), + torno, to turn (in a lathe), fr. Tornus, a lathe (05 Mar 2000)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Contour

contorted contortedly contortedness contorting contortion contortionate contortionism contortionist contortionistic contortionists

contortions contortive contorts contortuplicate contos contour (current term) contour feather contour feathers contour interval contour language

contour line contour lines contour lines of Owen contour map contour sheet contour tone contoured contouring contourless contourlet

Literary usage of Contour

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Collected Mathematical Papers of Arthur Cayley by Arthur Cayley (1891)
"IT is, I think, interesting as a question of topography, to consider the general configuration of a system of contour lines and steepest or slope lines ..."

2. The Principles and Practice of Surveying by Charles Blaney Breed, George Leonard Hosmer (1908)
"As a rule the smaller the contour interval, the more accurate will be the ... contour studies occur in a variety of problems, so numerous that it would be ..."

3. Field Geology by Frederic Henry Lahee (1917)
"Mark on XW the contour and stream positions, as explained in Art. 274, ... INTERPRETATION OF contour MAPS 276. Direction of Ascent and Descent. ..."

4. Physiography by Rollin D. Salisbury (1907)
"EXPLANATION OF contour MAP "The features represented on the topographic map are of three distinct kinds: (1) inequalities of surface, called relief, ..."

5. A Treatise on the Integral Calculus: With Applications, Examples, and Problems by Joseph Edwards (1922)
"Hence the number of lines crossing such a closed con contour ==— x perimeter, ... If there be any re-entrant portion of the contour, the perimeter must be ..."

6. Algebra: An Elementary Text Book for the Higher Classes of Secondary Schools by George Chrystal (1886)
"The zero contour line of z = ax + by + c is given by the equation ax + by + c = 0 (5). ... Let us consider the zero contour lines, L and L', of two linear ..."

7. Irrigation Engineering by Herbert Michael Wilson (1909)
"contour Topographic Survey.—In practically all cases where the time and means at the disposal of the engineer will permit, the best results will ..."

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