Definition of Shape

1. Noun. Any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline). "He could barely make out their shapes"


2. Verb. Shape or influence; give direction to. "Mold public opinion"

3. Noun. The spatial arrangement of something as distinct from its substance. "Geometry is the mathematical science of shape"

4. Verb. Make something, usually for a specific function. "Work the metal into a sword"

5. Noun. Alternative names for the body of a human being. "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak"

6. Verb. Give shape or form to. "Form the young child's character"

7. Noun. A concrete representation of an otherwise nebulous concept. "A circle was the embodiment of his concept of life"
Exact synonyms: Embodiment
Generic synonyms: Concrete Representation, Concretism
Derivative terms: Embody

8. Noun. The visual appearance of something or someone. "The delicate cast of his features"
Exact synonyms: Cast, Form
Generic synonyms: Appearance, Visual Aspect
Derivative terms: Shapely

9. Noun. The state of (good) health (especially in the phrases 'in condition' or 'in shape' or 'out of condition' or 'out of shape').
Exact synonyms: Condition
Generic synonyms: Good Health, Healthiness
Specialized synonyms: Fitness, Physical Fitness

10. Noun. The supreme headquarters that advises NATO on military matters and oversees all aspects of the Allied Command Europe.

11. Noun. A perceptual structure. "A visual pattern must include not only objects but the spaces between them"
Exact synonyms: Form, Pattern
Generic synonyms: Structure
Group relationships: Percept, Perception, Perceptual Experience
Specialized synonyms: Fractal, Gestalt, Grid, Kaleidoscope, Mosaic, Strand
Derivative terms: Form, Pattern

Definition of Shape

1. v. t. To form or create; especially, to mold or make into a particular form; to give proper form or figure to.

2. v. i. To suit; to be adjusted or conformable.

3. n. 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.

Definition of Shape

1. Noun. The status or condition of something ¹

2. Noun. Condition of personal health, especially muscular health. ¹

3. Noun. The appearance of something, especially its outline. ¹

4. Noun. A figure with unspecified appearance; especially a geometric figure. ¹

5. Noun. Form; formation. ¹

6. Verb. (transitive) To give something a shape and definition. ¹

7. Verb. To manouevre something into a certain shape. ¹

8. Verb. (of a country, person, etc) To give influence to. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Shape

1. to give shape (outward form) to [v SHAPED, SHAPEN, SHAPING, SHAPES] : SHAPABLE [adj]

Medical Definition of Shape

1. 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. 5. Dress for disguise; guise. "Look better on this virgin, and consider This Persian shape laid by, and she appearing In a Greekish dress." (Messinger) 6. A rolled or hammered piece, as a bar, beam, angle iron, etc, having a cross-section different from merchant bar. 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. In shape, having a good muscle tone; healthy. Get into shape, to exercise so as to acquire a good muscle tone. Origin: 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. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Shape

shantung
shantungs
shanty
shanty town
shanty towns
shantylike
shantyman
shantymen
shantytown
shantytowns
shaobing
shaojiu
shaomai
shaomais
shapable
shape (current term)
shape-shifter
shape-shifters
shape-up
shape constancy
shape memory alloy
shape memory alloys
shape note
shape poem
shape up
shape up or ship out
shapeable
shaped
shaped up
shapedness

Literary usage of Shape

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Standard Work of Reference in Art, Literature (1907)
"The nation in its later shape was fully formed at the end of the thirteenth century. The great lines of its later law and constitution have been already ..."

2. Journal by Chartered Insurance Institute (1897)
"Up to August, 1895, when our investigations were completed, the most important contributions to the study of the effect of the shape of the alternating wave ..."

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