browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
shape |
4 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Shape \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. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Shape \Shape\ (sh[=a]p), v. i. To suit; to be adjusted or conformable. [R.] --Shak. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Shape \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 From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: shape n 1: any spatial attribute (especially as defined by outline); "he could barely make out their shapes through the smoke" [syn: {form}, {configuration}, {contour}] 2: the spatial arrangement of something as distinct from its substance; "geometry is the mathematical science of shape" [syn: {form}] 3: 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" [syn: {human body}, {physical body}, {material body}, {soma}, {build}, {figure}, {physique}, {anatomy}, {bod}, {chassis}, {frame}, {form}, {flesh}] 4: a concrete representation of an otherwise nebulous concept; "a circle was the embodiment of his concept of life" [syn: {embodiment}] 5: the visual appearance of something or someone "the delicate cast of his features" [syn: {form}, {cast}] 6: the state of (good) health--especially in the phrases "in condition" or "in shape" or "out of condition" or "out of shape" [syn: {condition}] 7: 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" [syn: {form}, {pattern}] v 1: shape or influence; give direction to "experience often determines ability" [syn: {determine}, {influence}, {regulate}] 2: make something usually for a specific function; "She molded the riceballs carefully"; "Form the dough into cylinders" [syn: {form}, {mold}, {mould}, {forge}] 3: cause to shape or form "shape a bun"; "shape a ball from the dough" [syn: {form}]
more about shape