contour

contour
    n 1: a line drawn on a map connecting points of equal height
         [syn: {contour}, {contour line}]
    2: any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline);
       "he could barely make out their shapes" [syn: {shape},
       {form}, {configuration}, {contour}, {conformation}]
    3: a feature (or the order or arrangement of features) of
       anything having a complex structure; "the contours of the
       melody"; "it defines a major contour of this administration"
    v 1: form the contours of
    

Contour \Con*tour"\, n. [F. contour, fr. contourner to mark the
   outlines; con- + tourner to turn. See {Turn}.]
   1. The outline of a figure or body, or the line or lines
      representing such an outline; the line that bounds;
      periphery.
      [1913 Webster]

            Titian's coloring and contours.       --A. Drummond.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Mil.) The outline of a horizontal section of the ground,
      or of works of fortification.
      [1913 Webster]

   {Contour feathers} (Zool.), those feathers that form the
      general covering of a bird.

   {Contour of ground} (Surv.), the outline of the surface of
      ground with respect to its undulation, etc.

   {Contour line} (Topographical Suv.), the line in which a
      horizontal plane intersects a portion of ground, or the
      corresponding line in a map or chart.
      [1913 Webster]
    

23 Moby Thesaurus words for "contour":
      broad lines, configuration, delineate, delineation, features,
      figuration, figure, framework, galbe, gestalt, limn, line,
      lineaments, lineation, lines, main features, outline, profile,
      relief, shapes, silhouette, skeleton, tournure