Definitions for: Shape


[n] the spatial arrangement of something as distinct from its substance; "geometry is the mathematical science of shape"
[n] the visual appearance of something or someone; "the delicate cast of his features"
[n] any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline); "he could barely make out their shapes through the smoke"
[n] alternative names for the body of a human being; "Leonardo studied the human body"; "he has a strong physique"; "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak"
[n] a perceptual structure; "the composition presents problems for students of musical form"; "a visual pattern must include not only objects but the spaces between them"
[n] a concrete representation of an otherwise nebulous concept; "a circle was the embodiment of his concept of life"
[n] the state of (good) health (especially in the phrases `in condition' or `in shape' or `out of condition' or `out of shape')
[v] give a shape or or form to; "shape the dough"
[v] shape or influence; give direction to; "experience often determines ability"; "mold public opinion"
[v] make something, usually for a specific function; "She molded the riceballs carefully"; "Form cylinders from the dough"; "shape a figure"; "Work the metal into a sword"



Webster (1913) Definition: Shape (sh[=a]p), v. t. [imp. Shaped (sh[=a]pt); p. p.
Shaped or Shapen (sh[=a]p"'n); p. pr. & vb. n.
Shaping.] [OE. shapen, schapen, AS. sceapian. The p. p.
shapen is from the strong verb, AS. scieppan, scyppan,
sceppan, p. p. sceapen. See Shape, n.]
1. To form or create; especially, to mold or make into a
particular form; to give proper form or figure to.

I was shapen in iniquity. --Ps. li. 5.

Grace shaped her limbs, and beauty decked her face.
--Prior.

2. To adapt to a purpose; to regulate; to adjust; to direct;
as, to shape the course of a vessel.

To the stream, when neither friends, nor force, Nor
speed nor art avail, he shapes his course. --Denham.

Charmed by their eyes, their manners I acquire, And
shape my foolishness to their desire. --Prior.

3. To image; to conceive; to body forth.

Oft my jealousy Shapes faults that are not. --Shak.

4. To design; to prepare; to plan; to arrange.

When shapen was all this conspiracy, From point to
point. --Chaucer.

Shaping machine. (Mach.) Same as Shaper.

To shape one's self, to prepare; to make ready. [Obs.]

I will early shape me therefor. --Chaucer.


Shape (sh[=a]p), v. i.
To suit; to be adjusted or conformable. [R.] --Shak.


Shape, n. [OE. shap, schap, AS. sceap in gesceap
creation, creature, fr. the root of scieppan, scyppan,
sceppan, to shape, to do, to effect; akin to OS. giskeppian,
OFries. skeppa, D. scheppen, G. schaffen, OHG. scaffan,
scepfen, skeffen, Icer. skapa, skepja, Dan. skabe, skaffe,
Sw. skapa, skaffa, Goth. gaskapjan, and perhaps to E. shave,
v. Cf. -ship.]
1. Character or construction of a thing as determining its
external appearance; outward aspect; make; figure; form;
guise; as, the shape of a tree; the shape of the head; an
elegant shape.

He beat me grievously, in the shape of a woman.
--Shak.

2. That which has form or figure; a figure; an appearance; a
being.

Before the gates three sat, On either side, a
formidable shape. --Milton.

3. A model; a pattern; a mold.

4. Form of embodiment, as in words; form, as of thought or
conception; concrete embodiment or example, as of some
quality. --Milton.

5. Dress for disguise; guise. [Obs.]

Look better on this virgin, and consider This
Persian shape laid by, and she appearing In a
Greekish dress. --Messinger.

6. (Iron Manuf.)
(a) A rolled or hammered piece, as a bar, beam, angle
iron, etc., having a cross section different from
merchant bar.
(b) A piece which has been roughly forged nearly to the
form it will receive when completely forged or fitted.

To take shape, to assume a definite form.

Synonyms: anatomy, bod, build, cast, chassis, condition, configuration, conformation, contour, determine, embodiment, figure, flesh, forge, form, form, form, form, form, form, frame, human body, influence, material body, mold, mold, mould, pattern, physical body, physique, regulate, soma, work

See Also: adult body, alter, amorphous shape, angular shape, angularity, angularity, appearance, attribute, beat, block, blow, bluntness, body, carry weight, carve, cast, cause, change, chip, circle, circle, coil, column, concaveness, concavity, concrete representation, concretism, connection, connexion, convexity, convexness, create from raw material, create from raw stuff, crookedness, crystalise, crystalize, crystallise, crystallize, culminate, cup, curvature, curve, decide, deform, dimension, dish, distort, distorted shape, distortion, do, draw, dullness, dulness, encircle, female body, figure, fit, fitness, flare, flatten, fork, fractal, gestalt, good condition, good health, good shape, grain, granulate, handbuild, healthiness, hill, homo, human, human being, index, individual, individuate, juvenile body, keenness, line, link, lobularity, machine, make, male body, man, miscreate, model, mortal, mosaic, mound, narrowing, natural shape, organic structure, pace, percept, perception, perceptual experience, person, physical fitness, physical structure, pillar, plane, plume, predetermine, preform, puddle, remold, reshape, reshape, ridge, roll, roughcast, round, round off, round out, round shape, roundness, scallop, scollop, sculpt, sculpture, sharpness, sheet, sinter, sliver, solid, somebody, someone, soul, spatial property, spatiality, square, square up, stamp, straightness, strain, strand, stratification, strike, structure, swage, tabulate, terrace, throw, tie, time, topography, tower, twist, upset, visual aspect

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