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   contour

   /ˈkɒntʊə/

   noun

   • 1. an outline representing or bounding the shape or form of something: "she traced the contours of his face with her finger"
   • ▪ an outline of a natural feature such as a hill: "the road climbs steadily, following the contours of the hillside"
   • ▪ short for contour line
   • ▪ a line joining points on a diagram at which some property has the same value: "the figure shows contours of 21-cm line emission of atomic hydrogen"
   • 2. a way in which something varies, especially the pitch of music or the pattern of tones in an utterance.

   verb

   • 1. mould into a specific shape, especially one designed to fit into something else: "the compartment has been contoured with smooth rounded corners"
   • ▪ shade (an area or areas of the face) with make-up, typically foundation or bronzer, in such a way as to accentuate or enhance the facial shape or structure: "I prefer to only contour my cheeks"
   • 2. mark (a map or diagram) with contour lines: "a variety of different data sources have been compiled to contour the maps"
   • 3. (of a road or railway) follow the outline of (a topographical feature), especially along a contour line: "the road contours the hillside"

   Word Origin mid 17th century: from French, from Italian contorno, from contornare ‘draw in outline’, from con- ‘together’ + tornare ‘to turn’.

   Scrabble Points: 9

   • C

     3

   • O

     1

   • N

     1

   • T

     1

   • O

     1

   • U

     1

   • R

     1

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