Contour feathers

Contour feathers
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} (Zo["o]l.), 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] ||


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • contour feathers — plural noun Feathers lying along a bird s body providing insulation and streamlining • • • Main Entry: ↑contour * * * contour feathers, the outer feathers which determine the contour of a bird s body …   Useful english dictionary

  • contour feathers — n. feathers that form the surface plumage of a bird and determine the outer contour, including the wing and tail feathers * * * …   Universalium

  • contour feathers — n. feathers that form the surface plumage of a bird and determine the outer contour, including the wing and tail feathers …   English World dictionary

  • contour feathers — /ˈkɒntɔ fɛðəz/ (say kontaw fedhuhz) plural noun any of the feathers which form the surface plumage of a bird, apart from wings, tail, and specialised types, as filoplumes …  

  • 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Contour line — 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]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Contour of ground — 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]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • contour feather — noun Date: 1867 one of the medium sized feathers that form the general covering of a bird and determine the external contour …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • contour feather — Ornith. one of the feathers that form the surface plumage of a bird, including those of the wings and tail but excluding such specialized types as downs and filoplumes. [1865 70] * * * …   Universalium

  • contour feather — noun any of the mainly small feathers which form the outline of an adult bird s plumage …   English new terms dictionary

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