con·tour / ˈkänˌtoŏr/ • n. (usu. contours) an outline, esp. one 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 or valley. ∎ short for contour line. ∎  a line joining points on a diagram at which some property has the same value: the map shows contours of every 10-foot difference in elevation. ∎  a way in which something varies, esp. the pitch of music or the pattern of tones in an utterance.• v. [tr.] 1. (usu. be contoured) mold into a specific shape, typically one designed to fit into something else: the compartment has been contoured with smooth rounded corners | [as adj.] (contoured) the contoured leather seats. 2. mark (a map or diagram) with contour lines: [as adj.] (contoured) a huge contoured map. 3. (of a road or railroad) follow the outline of (a topographical feature), esp. along a contour line: the road contours the hillside.

contour outline. XVII. — F. — It. contorno, f. contornare draw in outline, f. CON- + tornare TURN.

CONTOUR A NASA mission, launched in 2002, that is scheduled to visit three comet nuclei.