An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The outline of a figure or body; the edge or line that defines or bounds a shape or object.

Etymology (EN): From Fr. contour “circumference, outline,” from Italian contorno, from M.L. contornare “to go around,” from L. → com- intens. prefix + tornare “to turn on a lathe,” from tornus “lathe.”

Etymology (PE): Parband, from par- “around” (Mid.Pers. pêrâ, O.Pers. pariy “around, about,” Av. pairi “around, over,” Skt. pari, cf. Gk. peri “around, about, beyond,” L. per “through,” PIE *per- “through, across, beyond”)

• band “belt, gridle, anything by which bodies are joined; tie, band,” from bastan “to bind, shut,” (Mid.Pers. bastan/vastan,Av./O.Pers. band- “to bind, fetter,” banda- “band, tie,” Skt. bandh- “to bind, tie, fasten,” PIE *bhendh- “to bind,” cf. Ger. binden, E. bind).