/ ˈkɒntʊə(r); NAmE ˈkɑːntʊr/ noun
1.
the outer edges of sth; the outline of its shape or form :
The road follows the natural contours of the coastline.
She traced the contours of his face with her finger.
2.
(also ˈcontour line ) a line on a map showing points that are the same height above sea level :
a contour map (= a map that includes these lines)
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: from French , from Italian contorno , from contornare draw in outline, from con- together+ tornare to turn.