contour
/ˈkɒntʊə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkɑːntʊr/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkän-ˌtu̇r/ (ame, mw) · /ˈkɒn.tɔːr/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkɑːn.tʊr/ (ame, ipa)
contour — 名詞
- contoursingular
- contoursplural
1. A curving edge or surface that marks the outer form of an object — for instance,
外輪廓
物體邊緣的曲線形狀
A curving edge or surface that marks the outer form of an object — for instance, the line where a mountain meets the sky or the rounded sides of a vase.
Hyun traced the soft contour of the vase with her fingers.
Hyun 用手指描著花瓶柔軟的外輪廓。
The mountain's contour changed gradually as the sun moved across the sky.
隨著太陽劃過天空，山的輪廓逐漸變化。
possessive + contour for natural features
The contour of the coastline was clearly visible from the airplane window.
從飛機窗口可以清楚看到海岸線的輪廓。
Chidi admired the elegant contour of the racing car's body.
Chidi 欣賞著賽車車身優雅的外輪廓。
Felipe studied the contour of the ancient pottery in the museum display.
Felipe 在博物館展櫃前仔細研究古陶器的外輪廓。
- outline
more general; contour emphasizes curving or flowing shapes
- silhouette
refers specifically to a dark shape against a lighter background; more dramatic
- profile
suggests a side view, especially of a face or landscape
常見錯誤
2. On a map, a line that links points at an identical elevation above the ocean or
等高線
地圖上連接相同高度的線
On a map, a line that links points at an identical elevation above the ocean or at an equal depth underwater, helping you picture hills, valleys, and other landforms.
The contour lines on the map were very close together near the river.
地圖上的等高線在河邊附近分布得非常密集。
Hyun followed the five-hundred-metre contour to find the easiest hiking path.
Hyun 沿著五百公尺的等高線走，找出最輕鬆的登山路線。
number + unit + contour for elevation lines
Each contour on this map represents a change in height of twenty metres.
這張地圖上每一條等高線代表二十公尺的高度變化。
Rania studied the contour lines to plan the safest route up the mountain.
Rania 仔細研究等高線，規劃最安全的上山路線。
Where contours are far apart, the land rises very slowly and gently.
等高線之間距離越遠，表示地勢上升越平緩。
- contour line
full term used in cartography, same meaning but more technical
用法筆記
Often used in the plural form 'contours' to refer to the whole set of lines on a map.
3. The broad arrangement or overall pattern of something complicated, such as a pol
大要
複雜事物的整體結構
The broad arrangement or overall pattern of something complicated, such as a political situation, a piece of writing, or a plan, when viewed as a whole.
The essay traced the contour of political changes in the region.
這篇文章梳理了該地區政治變化的大要。
contour of + abstract noun for metaphorical use
The general contour of the agreement became clear after weeks of talks.
經過數週談判，協議的大要逐漸明朗。
We began to see the contour of a solution to the long-running dispute.
我們開始看出解決這樁長期爭議的方案大要。
Élise described the contour of her career plan in a few clear sentences.
Élise 用幾句簡潔的話描述了她職涯規劃的大要。
用法筆記
This abstract sense is common in formal or analytical writing. Distinguish from sense 1 (OUTER SHAPE), which is always about a visible physical object.
contour — 動詞
- contourpresent simple I / you / we / they
- contours3rd person singular
- contouring-ing form
- contouredpast simple
1. To give a surface a particular curved shape by making some areas higher and some
塑形
改變表面高低起伏
To give a surface a particular curved shape by making some areas higher and some lower, often to follow a natural form or for a practical purpose.
The gardener contoured the flower bed to match the gentle slope of the hill.
園丁將花圃塑形，配合山坡的平緩坡度。
contour + object + to-infinitive for purpose
Anna contoured the clay until it formed the shape of a human face.
Anna 將黏土塑形，直到它呈現人臉的模樣。
The road was carefully contoured to fit the natural shape of the valley.
這條道路經過精心塑形，順應山谷的自然地貌。
Felipe contoured the garden path so rainwater would drain away from the house.
Felipe 將花園小徑塑出坡度，讓雨水能排離房屋。
文法句型
contour + object
用法筆記
Often used in the passive form to describe how something was shaped by a designer or builder.
2. To match or run along the curves of an object or surface, or to build something
貼合
緊貼某物的彎曲形狀
To match or run along the curves of an object or surface, or to build something so that it takes that curved line.
The chair was designed to contour to the shape of the human back.
這張椅子的設計能貼合人體背部的曲線。
contour to + noun for fitted design
The path contoured around the hill rather than going straight over it.
小徑貼合著山丘的弧度繞行，而不是直接翻越過去。
intransitive: contour around + noun
Imran contoured the garden wall to match the curve of the quiet street.
Imran 把花園的圍牆修成貼合街道的彎曲走向。
The running shoe contours to the natural shape of the foot for better comfort.
這款跑鞋能貼合腳部的自然形狀，提供更佳的舒適感。
文法句型
contour + object
contour to + noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (SHAPE SURFACE): sense 1 means actively changing a surface's shape, while sense 2 means fitting or following an already existing shape.
3. To apply makeup that adds shaded and lightened zones to the face, making feature
修容
用化妝強調臉部曲線
To apply makeup that adds shaded and lightened zones to the face, making features like the cheekbones, nose, or jaw stand out more or appear different.
Emily contoured her cheekbones with a dark powder and a light cream.
Emily 用深色粉餅和淺色粉底液修飾她的顴骨。
contour + body part with products
The makeup artist contoured the model's nose to make it look thinner.
彩妝師為模特兒修飾鼻型，讓鼻子看起來更纖細。
Tamar learned to contour her jawline by watching online beauty videos.
Tamar 觀看線上美妝影片，學會了修飾下顎線。
Rania contoured her face before the wedding to give her features more depth.
Rania 在婚禮前為臉部修容，讓五官看起來更有立體感。
- highlight and shade
describes the technique; contouring is the overall process, highlight and shade are the two specific steps
文法句型
contour + object (face part)
用法筆記
Very common in beauty and fashion contexts. The noun form 'contouring' is used as a technique name.
4. To mark a map or chart with lines connecting places that sit at the same distanc
繪製等高線
在地圖上畫等高線
To mark a map or chart with lines connecting places that sit at the same distance above or below the ocean, revealing the form of the terrain or seabed.
The surveyor contoured the entire valley for the updated hiking map.
測量員為整座山谷繪製等高線，以更新登山地圖。
The map was contoured at intervals of ten metres to show the hills clearly.
這張地圖每隔十公尺繪製一條等高線，以便清楚顯示山丘起伏。
passive: was contoured at intervals of [distance]
Minh spent the afternoon contouring the section of coastline near the harbour.
Minh 花了一整個下午為港口附近的海岸線繪製等高線。
The team contoured the area around the lake to update the navigation charts.
團隊為湖區周圍繪製等高線，更新航行圖資。
- map
more general; contouring is a specific technique within map-making
文法句型
contour + area
用法筆記
A technical term used mainly by surveyors, cartographers, and geologists. Distinguish from noun sense 2 (MAP LINE), which refers to the lines themselves rather than the act of drawing them.
contour — 形容詞
- contourpositive
- more contourcomparative
- most contoursuperlative
1. Following the natural shape of the land, especially referring to farming methods
等高耕作的
沿地形等高線進行的
Following the natural shape of the land, especially referring to farming methods that dig or plant along lines of equal height to reduce soil loss.
Contour farming helps prevent soil from washing away on steep hills.
等高耕作有助於防止陡坡上的土壤被雨水沖走。
contour + [technique] for agricultural methods
Farmers planted crops along contour rows to reduce water runoff.
農民沿著等高耕作行的方向種植作物，以減少逕流。
The fields were arranged in contour strips across the hillside.
這些田地以等高帶的方式排列在山坡上。
The farmer used contour ploughing to keep the soil on the hillside.
農夫採用等高耕作，以防止山坡上的土壤流失。
用法筆記
Almost always used as a modifier before a farming-related noun: 'contour farming', 'contour ploughing', 'contour rows', 'contour strips'.
2. Designed or shaped to match the exact curves of a person's body or an object, fo
貼合曲線的
按物體形狀設計的
Designed or shaped to match the exact curves of a person's body or an object, for improved comfort, fit, or function.
The contour mattress supports the natural curve of your spine while you sleep.
這款貼合曲線的床墊能在睡眠時支撐脊椎的自然弧度。
Hyun bought a contour chair that moulds to the shape of her body.
Hyun 買了一張能貼合她身體曲線的椅子。
contour + noun for ergonomic products
The car has contour seats that hold the driver in place during sharp turns.
這輛車配備貼合曲線的座椅，能在急轉彎時將駕駛固定妥當。
The contour pillow helped ease the pain in Ezra's neck after long work hours.
這款貼合曲線的枕頭幫助減輕 Ezra 長時間工作後的頸部疼痛。
- ergonomic
broader — about overall efficiency and comfort in design, not just shape-fitting
用法筆記
Common in product descriptions for furniture, car seats, mattresses, and pillows. The adjective form does not have a comparative ('more contour').