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.

Titian's coloring and contours.
A. Drummond.

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

Contour feathers(Zoöl.), 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.