n. & v.
n. 1 an outline, esp. representing or bounding the shape or form of something. 2 the outline of a natural feature, e.g. a coast or mountain mass. 3 a line separating differently coloured parts of a design.
v.tr. 1 mark with contour lines. 2 carry (a road or railway) round the side of a hill. contour line a line on a map joining points of equal altitude. contour map a map marked with contour lines. contour ploughing ploughing along lines of constant altitude to minimize soil erosion.
[ F f. It. contorno f. contornare draw in outline (as COM-, tornare turn) ]