Definitions:

1. A short line drawn in the direction of a slope to indicate shading and surface in relief. NOUN
   • The topography map relied heavily on hachures to represent the elevation changes in the landscape.
2. Involves the use of short, parallel lines or strokes to indicate the slope, elevation, and shade of landforms such as hills, mountains, valleys, and slopes. NOUN
   • The geology textbook explained how hachures can be employed to indicate different rock formations.
3. Refers to a method used in cartography, the science and art of map making, to represent relief or terrain on a map. NOUN
   • The cartographer meticulously used hachures to depict the steepness of the terrain on the map.

Synonyms:

• contour line
• crosshatch
• hatch
• hatching
• isoheight
• isoline