I. ˈshāp verb
( shaped ; shaped or archaic shap·en -pən ; shaping ; shapes )
Etymology: Middle English shapen, alteration of Old English sceppan, scyppan; akin to Old High German skepfen to shape, form, create, Old Norse skepja, Gothic ga skapjan to create, and perhaps to Latin scabere to scratch, scrape — more at shave
transitive verb
1. : form , create ; especially : to give a particular or proper form to by or as if by molding or modeling from an undifferentiated mass
2. : to give definite or finished shape to especially by altering a prior shape
shaping rolls from dough
shaped a sturdy mortar from the log
3. obsolete : ordain , decree , destine , appoint
there's a divinity that shapes our ends, roughhew them how we will — Shakespeare
4.
a. : to alter or manipulate so as to give a particular form or produce a particular object — usually used with into
shaping the seasoned lumber into a sturdy frame
shapes the clay into bricks
heat and shape the iron
b. obsolete : to change in form : metamorphose
c. archaic : to cut out and fashion (as a garment)
d. : to adapt in shape usually so as to fit neatly and closely — usually used with to
a dress shaped to her figure
e. : to fashion (a knitted garment) by decreasing or increasing according to pattern
f. : to style (hair) by thinning and tapering especially to the contour of the head
5.
a. : to marshal facts and present them by way of (answer)
shapes an earnest answer to the accusation
b. : to give a particular form or direction to : devise , plan
together shaped a dark conspiracy
c. : to embody in definite or definitive form
shaping a folktale into an epic
— often used with up
shaping up a set of notes for publication
6. archaic : to bring about : contrive
7.
a. : to make fit for (as a particular use or purpose) : adapt , regulate , adjust
shaping a character to future responsibilities
b. : to determine or direct the course of (as conduct, life, history)
shaping our plans for a happy holiday
8. : to produce a plane surface on (work) by means of a tool that moves to and fro — compare mill , plane
intransitive verb
1. : to come to pass usually in a particular way : happen , befall
if things shape right
2. archaic : to cut out and fashion clothing
3. obsolete : suit , conform
4.
a. : to take on or approach a mature form — often used with up
b. : to develop to or toward a definitive form (as in character, proficiency, or excellence) : show promise — often used with up
Synonyms: see make
•
- shape one's course
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English shap, from Old English gesceap, from ge- (perfective, associative, and collective prefix) + -sceap (akin to Old English sceppan, scyppan to shape, form, create) — more at co-
1.
a. : the visible makeup characteristic of a particular item or kind of item : characteristic appearance or visible form
a demon appearing in the shape of a man
b.
(1) : spatial form or contour that is usually fixed by a relatively constant spatial relation between the parts of the periphery or surface
water takes the shape of its container
a common shape of glass
the shape of a jellyfish
(2) : any of numerous standardized or universally recognized and usually basically geometric spatial forms or contours
squares, diamonds, and other shapes
a hill of perfect cone shape
c. : phonetic composition or structure or a representation thereof
emphatic of has the shape |əv or |äv, unemphatic of usually has the shape əv
2. : the appearance of the body usually as distinguished from that of the face : bodily contour especially with respect to beauty : figure
bathing beauties showing their shapes
your whole shape shows when you stand against the light
3.
[Middle English shap male or female sex organ, from Old English sceap; akin to Old English sceppan, scyppan ]
dialect chiefly England : the female pudenda
4.
a. dialect chiefly England : a represented form (as a painting or photograph)
b. : phantom , apparition
c. : assumed appearance : guise , likeness
our troubles started in the shape of a helpful neighbor
d.
(1) obsolete : a theatrical role or its makeup
(2) : a stage costume
5. : form of embodiment (as in words) : form (as of thought) that is relatively definite and organized
a plan was beginning to take shape as they argued
whipping his speech into shape
6. : a mode of existence or form of being having identifying or individuating features
the first shape of an essay
the final shape of a society
7. : something having a particular form
a hatter's shape
a metal shape for holding flowers
as
a. : a mold for imparting a shape to a food (as a jelly or blancmange) ; also : a dish molded in a shape
b.
(1) : a length of metal (as a bar or beam) having a constant cross section ; also : one with a cross section other than square, rectangular, round, or hexagonal
(2) : a piece roughly forged to approximately the final form
c. : a cone, ball, or drum of light metal or canvas hoisted in making signals on a ship
d. : a gaming die with one or more faces rounded so that it is more likely to fall one way than another
e. : the bend of a fishhook
8. dialect chiefly England : bodily posture : attitude
9.
a. : condition in which someone or something exists at a particular time usually as compared with a more general state or that of the same item at other occasions or on the average
in excellent shape for his age
the market has been in poor shape lately
b. : good condition (as for sports)
Synonyms: see form
•
- in no shape
- in shape
III. transitive verb
: to modify (behavior) by rewarding changes that tend toward a desired response