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Added 8 October 2026

contour

/ˈkɒntɔː/ noun

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about contour at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

An outline, boundary or border, usually of curved shape.
the low drag contour of a modern automobile
A line on a map or chart delineating those points which have the same altitude or other plotted quantity: a contour line or isopleth; (metonymically) the landform or its surface.
a speech sound which behaves as a single segment, but which makes an internal transition from one quality, place, or manner to another.

verb

To form a more or less curved boundary or border upon.
To mark with contour lines.
To practise the makeup technique of contouring.

Origin

Borrowed from French contour, from contourner, equivalent to con- + tour.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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