kontuuride

Kontuuride is the Estonian plural noun for kontuur, meaning outlines or contour lines. The term is used to describe the boundary or outer shape of a form in a range of disciplines, from mapping to drawing and digital imaging.

In cartography and physical geography, kontuurid denote lines of equal elevation on maps, commonly called contour lines. The spacing between kontuurid indicates slope: tight clusters signal steep terrain, wide spacing indicates gentle slopes. Closed kontuurid may indicate hills or depressions.

In visual arts and design, kontuurid refer to the contours that define the edges and silhouette of objects. Contour drawing emphasizes the line that follows the essential shape, often avoiding shading to preserve clarity of form.

In computer vision and image processing, kontuuride are the boundaries detected by edge detection algorithms. Contour detection is used for shape recognition, object segmentation, and vectorization of raster images into scalable outlines.

Etymology and usage: The term derives from continental languages such as French contour or German Kontur, reflecting the same concept of boundary. In Estonian, kontuuride is used mainly in technical and academic contexts.

See also: contour line, isopleth, edge detection, topographic map.