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Contour vs. Outline: What's the Difference?

Contour and Outline Definitions

Contour

The outline of a figure, body, or mass.

Outline

A line indicating the outer contours or boundaries of an object or figure
Could see the outlines of an animal in the dark.

Contour

A line that represents such an outline.

Outline

A style of drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading.

Contour

A contour line.
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Outline

A sketch done in this style.

Contour

A varying characteristic or quality of something, such as a melody.

Outline

A summary of a text or subject, usually presented in headings and subheadings.

Contour

(Linguistics) The distinctive rising and falling patterns of pitch, tone, or stress.

Outline

A preliminary draft or plan, as of a project or proposal.
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Contour

To make or shape the outline of; represent in contour.

Outline

To draw or trace an outline of.

Contour

To build (a road, for example) to follow the contour of the land.

Outline

To display or accentuate the outline of
His face was outlined on the lampshade.

Contour

Following the contour lines of uneven terrain to limit erosion of topsoil
Contour plowing.
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Outline

To give the main features or various aspects of; summarize
Outlined the major provisions of the tax bill.

Contour

Shaped to fit the outline or form of something
A contour sheet.

Outline

A line marking the boundary of an object figure.

Contour

An outline, boundary or border, usually of curved shape.
The low drag contour of a modern automobile

Outline

The outer shape of an object or figure.

Contour

A line on a map or chart delineating those points which have the same altitude or other plotted quantity: a contour line or isopleth. Category:en:Curves

Outline

A sketch or drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading.

Contour

(linguistics) a speech sound which behaves as a single segment, but which makes an internal transition from one quality, place, or manner to another.

Outline

A general description of some subject.

Contour

(figurative) A general description giving the most important points.

Outline

A statement summarizing the important points of a text.

Contour

(transitive) To form a more or less curved boundary or border upon.

Outline

A preliminary plan for a project.
The outline of a speech

Contour

(transitive) To mark with contour lines.

Outline

(film) A prose telling of a story intended to be turned into a screenplay; generally longer and more detailed than a treatment.

Contour

(intransitive) To practise the makeup technique of contouring.

Outline

(fishing) A setline or trotline.

Contour

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.

Outline

(transitive) To draw an outline of.

Contour

The outline of a horizontal section of the ground, or of works of fortification.

Outline

(transitive) To summarize.
Wikipedia items featuring books usually outline them after giving their background.

Contour

A line drawn on a map connecting points of equal height

Outline

To optimize for size by replacing repeated code fragments with function calls.

Contour

Any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline);
He could barely make out their shapes through the smoke

Outline

The line which marks the outer limits of an object or figure; the exterior line or edge; contour.
Painters, by their outlines, colors, lights, and shadows, represent the same in their pictures.

Contour

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

Outline

Fig.: A sketch of any scheme; a preliminary or general indication of a plan, system, discourse, course of thought, etc.; as, the outline of a speech.
But that larger grief . . .Is given in outline and no more.

Contour

Form the contours of

Outline

To draw the outline of.

Outline

Fig.: To sketch out or indicate as by an outline; to create a general framework of (a plan, system, discourse, course of thought), for which the details need to be added; as, to outline an argument or a campaign.

Outline

The line that appears to bound an object

Outline

A sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theory

Outline

A schematic or preliminary plan

Outline

Describe roughly or briefly or give the main points or summary of;
Sketch the outline of the book
Outline his ideas

Outline

Draw up an outline or sketch for something;
Draft a speech

Outline

Trace the shape of

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