Hypertext Webster Gateway: "shape"
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) 1.7 (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"; "mold public opinion" [syn: {determine},
{mold}, {influence}, {regulate}]
2: 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" [syn: {form},
{work}, {mold}, {mould}, {forge}]
3: cause to shape or form; "shape a bun"; "shape a ball from
the dough" [syn: {form}]
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