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Entry 11 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Shape

/(shāp)/ · IPA /ʃeɪp/
01 v. t. To form or create; especially, to mold or make into a particular form; to give proper form or figure to.
imp. Shaped; p. p. Shaped; p. pr. & vb. n. Shaping
  1. 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. 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. 3.
    To imagine; to conceive; to call forth (ideas).[archaic]
    “Oft my jealousy Shapes faults that are not.” — Shak.
  4. 4.
    To design; to prepare; to plan; to arrange.
    “When shapen was all this conspiracy, From point to point.” — Chaucer.
    “I will early shape me therefor.” — Chaucer.
Phrases & compounds
Shaping machine — Same as Shaper.
To shape one's self — to prepare; to make ready.
02 v. i. To suit; to be adjusted or conformable.
  1. 1.
    To suit; to be adjusted or conformable.[R.]
03 n. Character or construction of a thing as determining its external appearance; outward aspect; make; figure; form; guise; as, the shape of a …
  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. 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. 3.
    A model; a pattern; a mold.
  4. 4.
    Form of embodiment, as in words; form, as of thought or conception; concrete embodiment or example, as of some quality.
  5. 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. 6.
    A rolled or hammered piece, as a bar, beam, angle iron, etc., having a cross section different from merchant bar.(Iron Manuf.)
Phrases & compounds
To take shape — to assume a definite form.