contours
Lines showing elevation
Contours are the lines that define a shape's outline or the curves of a surface.
The word often describes terrain: the contours of the hillside, a contour map showing elevation.
It extends to bodies: the contours of her face.
Figuratively, contours are the general shape or character of something: the contours of the argument, the contours of foreign policy.
To contour is to shape along natural lines, as in contouring makeup to emphasize facial structure.
Filled-in outline shape
- profileSide-facing outline
- edgeBoundary or sharpness
- boundaryLine marking a limit
- perimeterShape's outer edge length
delineation · trace · border · lineament · configuration · shape · form · periphery
Bends in a line
- figureOutline or numeral
- shapeExternal outline of something
- silhouetteFilled-in outline shape
- physiqueBodily structure and form
form · hourglass · waistline · hips · bust · profile · proportion · flattering
Height above reference point
- ridgeNarrow raised strip
- valleyLow ground between heights
- terrainLand's physical features
- plateauFlat highland area
landform · escarpment · canyon · relief · summit · peak · slope · gradient
Creating geographic representations
- topographicConcerning surface feature arrangement
- isolineLine joining equal points
- intervalDuration between two points
- legendUnverified traditional tale
scale · elevation · interpolation · gradient · shading · hillshade · survey · benchmark
Depicting light and darkness
- renderingInterpretive depiction or performance
- hatchingEmergence from an egg
- chiaroscuroContrast technique in painting
- modelingSimulating or demonstrating form
definition · highlight · shadow · depth · dimension · tone · gradation · crosshatching
silhouette
Filled-in outline shape
perimeter · delineation · trace · border · lineament · configuration · shape · form · periphery · circumference
curves
Bends in a line
- figureOutline or numeral
- shapeExternal outline of something
- silhouetteFilled-in outline shape
physique · form · hourglass · waistline · hips · bust · profile · proportion · flattering · slimming
elevation
Height above reference point
plateau · landform · escarpment · canyon · relief · summit · peak · slope · gradient · hillside
cartography
Creating geographic representations
- topographicConcerning surface feature arrangement
- isolineLine joining equal points
- intervalDuration between two points
legend · scale · elevation · interpolation · gradient · shading · hillshade · survey · benchmark · datum
shading
Depicting light and darkness
- renderingInterpretive depiction or performance
- hatchingEmergence from an egg
- chiaroscuroContrast technique in painting
modeling · definition · highlight · shadow · depth · dimension · tone · gradation · crosshatching · stippling
highlighting
Emphasizing key parts
- bronzerComplexion-warming makeup
- sculptingShaping material into forms
- cheekbonesFacial bones below eyes
jawline · blending · palette · brush · shading · definition · chisel · slim · nose · forehead
- terrain mappingDSM, terrain, topography, hillshade, slope
- Map Termslatitude, longitude, equator, meridian, prime meridian
- boundariesboundary, boundary line, borders, border, edges
- floor plansfloor plan, floorplan, layout, open plan, blueprint
- portrait drawingcolored pencils, shading, blending, sketching, graphite
- Topographyterrain maps, terrain map, elevation gain, topo maps, topo map
contoursshapelessness
Lack of distinct form
formlessness · amorphousness · vagueness · blur · indistinctness
contoursflatness
Absence of slope
plainness · uniformity · flat surface · smoothness · levelness
- contour mapsMaps showing elevation changes
- contour linesLines joining equal elevations
- facial contouringReshaping bone structure aesthetically
- contour featherOuter plumage shaping silhouette
- body contouringReshaping physical form cosmetically
- contour brushAngled makeup applicator for definition