körvonal

Körvonal is a Hungarian term meaning the boundary, contour, or outline of a two-dimensional figure. It is used across mathematics, design, and everyday language to describe the edge that separates a shape from its surroundings. Etymologically, the word combines kör ("circle") and vonal ("line"), but it is not restricted to circular shapes and applies to any closed or open form.

In geometry, the körvonal of a region is its boundary—the set of points that can be approached from both inside and outside. For a polygon, the körvonal is the chain of edges forming its outer edge; for a circle, the körvonal is the circumference.

In applied fields, the körvonal is used in image processing to denote the detected border of an object, in cartography to outline regions, and in design to describe the silhouette or shape of an object. Figuratively, körvonal can mean an outline or plan of a project or argument.

See also: contour, boundary, outline.