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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

shape       (shāp)  Pronunciation Key  n.   The characteristic surface configuration of a thing; an outline or contour. See Synonyms at form. Something distinguished from its surroundings by its outline. A definite distinctive form: "The bomb gave the shape of life, outer and inner, an irreversible charge; a sense of fatefulness would now lie on all things" (Alfred Kazin). A desirable form: a fabric that holds its shape. The contour of a person's body; the figure. A definite distinctive form: "The bomb gave the shape of life, outer and inner, an irreversible charge; a sense of fatefulness would now lie on all things" (Alfred Kazin). A desirable form: a fabric that holds its shape. A form or condition in which something may exist or appear; embodiment: a god in the shape of a swan. Assumed or false appearance; guise. A ghostly form; a phantom. Something, such as a mold or pattern, used to give or determine form. The proper condition of something necessary for action, effectiveness, or use: an athlete in excellent shape. v.   shaped, shap·ing, shapes v.   tr. To give a particular form to; create. To cause to conform to a particular form or pattern; adapt to fit. To plan to bring about the realization or accomplishment of; devise. To embody in a definite form: shaped a folk legend into a full-scale opera. To adapt to a particular use or purpose; adjust. To direct the course of: "He shaped history as well as being shaped by it" (Robert J. Samuelson). To adapt to a particular use or purpose; adjust. To direct the course of: "He shaped history as well as being shaped by it" (Robert J. Samuelson). v.   intr. To come to pass; happen. To take on a definite shape or form. Often used with up or into. Phrasal Verb(s): shape up Informal To turn out; develop. To improve so as to meet a standard: Either shape up or ship out. [Middle English, from Old English gesceap, a creation.] shap'a·ble, shape'a·ble adj., shaped adj., shap'er n.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

shaper
noun
1.	a person who makes things [syn: maker]
2.	a machine tool for shaping metal or wood

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Shaper

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.