From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
shape
n 1: any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline);
"he could barely make out their shapes" [syn: shape,
form, configuration, contour, conformation]
2: the spatial arrangement of something as distinct from its
substance; "geometry is the mathematical science of shape"
[syn: shape, 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, shape, 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:
shape, embodiment]
5: the visual appearance of something or someone; "the delicate
cast of his features" [syn: form, shape, 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, shape]
7: the supreme headquarters that advises NATO on military
matters and oversees all aspects of the Allied Command Europe
[syn: Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, SHAPE]
8: 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,
shape, pattern]
v 1: shape or influence; give direction to; "experience often
determines ability"; "mold public opinion" [syn:
determine, shape, mold, influence, regulate]
2: make something, usually for a specific function; "She molded
the rice balls carefully"; "Form cylinders from the dough";
"shape a figure"; "Work the metal into a sword" [syn:
shape, form, work, mold, mould, forge]
3: give shape or form to; "shape the dough"; "form the young
child's character" [syn: shape, form]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
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.
[1913 Webster]
I was shapen in iniquity. --Ps. li. 5.
[1913 Webster]
Grace shaped her limbs, and beauty decked her face.
--Prior.
[1913 Webster]
2. To adapt to a purpose; to regulate; to adjust; to direct;
as, to shape the course of a vessel.
[1913 Webster]
To the stream, when neither friends, nor force,
Nor speed nor art avail, he shapes his course.
--Denham.
[1913 Webster]
Charmed by their eyes, their manners I acquire,
And shape my foolishness to their desire. --Prior.
[1913 Webster]
3. To imagine; to conceive; to call forth (ideas). [archaic]
[1913 Webster]
Oft my jealousy
Shapes faults that are not. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
4. To design; to prepare; to plan; to arrange.
[1913 Webster]
When shapen was all this conspiracy,
From point to point. --Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]
Shaping machine. (Mach.) Same as Shaper.
To shape one's self, to prepare; to make ready. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
I will early shape me therefor. --Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Shape \Shape\, v. i.
To suit; to be adjusted or conformable. [R.] --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
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.
[1913 Webster]
He beat me grievously, in the shape of a woman.
--Shak.
[1913 Webster]
2. That which has form or figure; a figure; an appearance; a
being.
[1913 Webster]
Before the gates three sat,
On either side, a formidable shape. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
3. A model; a pattern; a mold.
[1913 Webster]
4. Form of embodiment, as in words; form, as of thought or
conception; concrete embodiment or example, as of some
quality. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
5. Dress for disguise; guise. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
Look better on this virgin, and consider
This Persian shape laid by, and she appearing
In a Greekish dress. --Messinger.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
To take shape, to assume a definite form.