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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
shape    Audio Help   [sheyp] Pronunciation Key noun, verb, shaped, shap·ing.
–noun
1.the quality of a distinct object or body in having an external surface or outline of specific form or figure.
2.this quality as found in some individual object or body form: This lake has a peculiar shape.
3.something seen in outline, as in silhouette: A vague shape appeared through the mist.
4.an imaginary form; phantom.
5.an assumed appearance; guise: an angel in the shape of a woman.
6.a particular or definite organized form or expression: He could give no shape to his ideas.
7.proper form; orderly arrangement.
8.condition or state of repair: The old house was in bad shape. He was sick last year, but is in good shape now.
9.the collective conditions forming a way of life or mode of existence: What will the shape of the future be?
10.the figure, physique, or body of a person, esp. of a woman: A dancer can keep her shape longer than those of us who have sedentary jobs.
11.something used to give form, as a mold or a pattern.
12.Also called section. Building Trades, Metalworking. a flanged metal beam or bar of uniform section, as a channel iron, I-beam, etc.
13.Nautical. a ball, cone, drum, etc., used as a day signal, singly or in combinations, to designate a vessel at anchor or engaged in some particular operation.
–verb (used with object)
14.to give definite form, shape, organization, or character to; fashion or form.
15.to couch or express in words: to shape a statement.
16.to adjust; adapt: He shaped everything to suit his taste.
17.to direct (one's course, future, etc.).
18.to file the teeth of (a saw) to uniform width after jointing.
19.Animal Behavior, Psychology. to teach (a desired behavior) to a human or other animal by successively rewarding the actions that more and more closely approximate that behavior.
20.Obsolete. to appoint; decree.
–verb (used without object)
21.to come to a desired conclusion or take place in a specified way: If discussions shape properly, the companies will merge.
22.shape up,
a.to assume a specific form: The plan is beginning to shape up.
b.to evolve or develop, esp. favorably.
c.to improve one's behavior or performance to meet a required standard.
d.to get oneself into good physical condition.
e.(of longshoremen) to get into a line or formation in order to be assigned the day's work.
23.take shape, to assume a fixed form; become definite: The house is beginning to take shape.

[Origin: bef. 900; (n.) ME; OE gesceapu (pl.); r. dial. shap, ME; OE gesceap (sing.); c. ON skap state, mood; (v.) ME; OE sceapen (ptp.); r. ME sheppe, shippe, OE sceppan, scyppan; c. G schaffen, ON skepja, Goth -skapjan to make]

shap·a·ble, shape·a·ble, adjective

1. silhouette, appearance. See form. 4. specter, illusion. 7. order, pattern. 8. order, situation. 14. mold, model.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
shape

To learn more about shape visit Britannica.com

© 2008 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
SHAPE    Audio Help   [sheyp] Pronunciation Key
–noun
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers, Europe.
Also, Shape.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
shape    Audio Help   (shāp)  Pronunciation Key 
n.  
    1. The characteristic surface configuration of a thing; an outline or contour. See Synonyms at form.
    2. Something distinguished from its surroundings by its outline.
    3. 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).
    4. A desirable form: a fabric that holds its shape.
  1. The contour of a person's body; the figure.
    1. 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).
    2. A desirable form: a fabric that holds its shape.
  2. A form or condition in which something may exist or appear; embodiment: a god in the shape of a swan.
  3. Assumed or false appearance; guise.
  4. A ghostly form; a phantom.
  5. Something, such as a mold or pattern, used to give or determine form.
  6. The proper condition of something necessary for action, effectiveness, or use: an athlete in excellent shape.

v.   shaped, shap·ing, shapes

v.   tr.
  1. To give a particular form to; create.
  2. To cause to conform to a particular form or pattern; adapt to fit.
    1. To plan to bring about the realization or accomplishment of; devise.
    2. To embody in a definite form: shaped a folk legend into a full-scale opera.
    3. To adapt to a particular use or purpose; adjust.
    4. To direct the course of: "He shaped history as well as being shaped by it" (Robert J. Samuelson).
    1. To adapt to a particular use or purpose; adjust.
    2. To direct the course of: "He shaped history as well as being shaped by it" (Robert J. Samuelson).

v.   intr.
  1. To come to pass; happen.
  2. To take on a definite shape or form. Often used with up or into.

Phrasal Verb(s):
shape up
  1. Informal To turn out; develop.
  2. 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.
(Download Now or Buy the Book)
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
SHAPE    Audio Help   (shāp)  Pronunciation Key 
abbr.   Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers, Europe

(Download Now or Buy the Book)
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
shape  (v.)
O.E. scapan, pp. of scieppan "to create, form, destine," from P.Gmc. *skapjanan "create, ordain" (cf. O.N. skapa, Dan. skabe, O.Fris. skeppa, O.H.G. scaffan, Ger. schaffen), from PIE base *(s)kep- "to cut, to scrape, to hack" (see shave), which acquired broad technical senses and in Gmc. a specific sense of "to create." O.E. scieppan survived into M.E. as shippen, but shape emerged as a regular verb (with pt. shaped) by 1500s. The old past participle form shapen survives in misshapen. Phrase Shape up (v.) is attested from 1865 as "progress;" from 1938 as "reform;" shape up or ship out is attested from 1956, originally U.S. military slang, with the sense being "do right or get shipped up to active duty."

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
shape  (n.)
O.E. gesceap "creation, form, destiny," from root of shape (v.)). Meaning "contours of the body" is attested from c.1393. Meaning "condition, state" is first recorded 1865, Amer.Eng. In M.E., the word also had a sense of "a woman's private parts." Shapely "well-formed" is recorded from 1382.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
shape

noun
1. any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline); "he could barely make out their shapes" 
2. the spatial arrangement of something as distinct from its substance; "geometry is the mathematical science of shape" 
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" 
4. a concrete representation of an otherwise nebulous concept; "a circle was the embodiment of his concept of life" 
5. the visual appearance of something or someone; "the delicate cast of his features" [syn: form
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
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
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

verb
1. shape or influence; give direction to; "experience often determines ability"; "mold public opinion" [syn: determine
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" 
3. give shape or form to; "shape the dough"; "form the young child's character" 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This

shape

In addition to the idiom beginning with shape, also see bent out of shape; in condition (shape); lick into shape; take shape.


The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
shape1 [ʃeip] noun
the external form or outline of anything
Example: People are all (of) different shapes and sizes; The house is built in the shape of a letter L.
Arabic: شَكْل
Chinese (Simplified): 形状
Chinese (Traditional): 形狀
Czech: tvar
Danish: skikkelse; form
Dutch: vorm
Estonian: kuju
Finnish: muoto
French: forme
German: die Form
Greek: σχήμα
Hungarian: alak
Icelandic: lögun, form
Indonesian: bentuk
Italian: forma
Japanese:
Korean: 모양
Latvian: forma; veids
Lithuanian: forma, pavidalas
Norwegian: form, fasong
Polish: kształt
Portuguese (Brazil): forma
Portuguese (Portugal): formato
Romanian: formă
Russian: форма
Slovak: tvar
Slovenian: oblika
Spanish: forma
Swedish: form, fason, skapnad
Turkish: biçim, şekil
shape2 [ʃeip] noun
an indistinct form
Example: I saw a large shape in front of me in the darkness.
Arabic: شَكْل غَيْر واضِح المَعالِم
Chinese (Simplified): 朦胧的形象
Chinese (Traditional): 朦朧的形象
Czech: obrys
Danish: skikkelse
Dutch: gedaante
Estonian: kuju
Finnish: hahmo
French: forme indistincte
German: die Gestalt
Greek: μορφή
Hungarian: alak
Icelandic: svipur, form
Indonesian: sosok
Italian: sagoma
Japanese: ぼんやりした姿
Korean: 어렴풋한 모습
Latvian: aprise; apveids
Lithuanian: pavidalas, figūra
Norwegian: skikkelse, form
Polish: kształt
Portuguese (Brazil): vulto
Portuguese (Portugal): vulto
Romanian: formă indistinctă
Russian: очертание
Slovak: obrys
Slovenian: obris
Spanish: figura, bulto
Swedish: gestalt, figur
Turkish: görüntü
shape3 [ʃeip] noun
condition or state
Example: You're in better physical shape than I am.
Arabic: حالَه، وَضْع
Chinese (Simplified): 状态
Chinese (Traditional): 狀態
Czech: forma
Danish: form
Dutch: conditie
Estonian: vorm
Finnish: kunto
French: forme
German: die Verfassung
Greek: (φυσική) κατάσταση, φόρμα
Hungarian: erőnlét
Icelandic: ástand, ásigkomulag
Indonesian: keadaan
Italian: forma
Japanese: 状態
Korean: 상태
Latvian: forma; stāvoklis
Lithuanian: būsena, forma
Norwegian: form, kondisjon, tilstand
Polish: kondycja, forma
Portuguese (Brazil): forma
Portuguese (Portugal): forma
Romanian: formă
Russian: форма
Slovak: forma
Slovenian: kondicija, stanje
Spanish: forma
Swedish: tillstånd, skick, form, kondition
Turkish: durum, form
shape1 [ʃeip] verb
to make into a certain shape, to form or model
Example: She shaped the dough into three separate loaves.
Arabic: يُشَكِّل، يُكَوِّن
Chinese (Simplified): 塑造
Chinese (Traditional): 塑造
Czech: tvarovat
Danish: forme
Dutch: vormen
Estonian: vormima
Finnish: muovata
French: façonner
German: formen
Hungarian: alakít
Icelandic: móta
Indonesian: membentuk
Italian: modellare, foggiare
Japanese: 形づくる
Korean: …을 모양짓다
Latvian: izveidot
Lithuanian: suformuoti
Norwegian: forme
Polish: formować
Portuguese (Brazil): modelar
Portuguese (Portugal): modelar
Romanian: a da formă
Russian: придавать форму
Slovak: tvarovať
Slovenian: oblikovati
Spanish: modelar
Swedish: forma
Turkish: biçimlendirmek
shape2 [ʃeip] verb
to influence the nature of strongly
Example: This event shaped his whole life.
Arabic: يُؤَثِّر على، يُكَوِّن
Chinese (Simplified): 影响
Chinese (Traditional): 影響
Czech: určit, utvářet
Danish: indvirke på
Dutch: bepalen
Estonian: mõjutama
Finnish: muokata
French: déterminer, influencer
German: formen
Hungarian: alakít
Icelandic: móta
Indonesian: mempengaruhi
Italian: (incidere profondamente su)
Japanese: 作りあげる
Korean: …을 결정하다
Latvian: ietekmēt; veidot
Lithuanian: pakreipti, paveikti
Norwegian: forme, påvirke
Polish: nadawać kształt
Portuguese (Brazil): moldar
Portuguese (Portugal): moldar
Romanian: a determina; a influ­enţa
Russian: определять
Slovak: určiť
Slovenian: zaznamovati
Spanish: decidir, determinar
Swedish: forma
Turkish: büyük ölçüde etkilenmek
shape3 [ʃeip] verb
(sometimes with up) to develop
Example: The team is shaping (up) well.
Arabic: يَتَطَوَّر
Chinese (Simplified): 发展,成长
Chinese (Traditional): 發展,成長
Czech: vyvíjet se
Danish: udvikle
Dutch: zich ontwikkelen
Estonian: edenema
Finnish: hahmottua
French: prendre une tournure
German: förmig
Hungarian: fejlődik
Icelandic: þróast, æxlast
Indonesian: berkembang
Italian: svilupparsi; procedere
Japanese: 発展する
Korean: 발전하다, 진전되다
Latvian: veidoties; attīstīties; iegūt formu
Lithuanian: judėti pirmyn, daryti pažangą
Norwegian: utvikle, utforme
Polish: rozwijać się
Portuguese (Brazil): desenvolver-se
Portuguese (Portugal): desenvolver-se
Romanian: a lua o turnură
Russian: делать успехи
Slovak: vyvíjať sa, formovať sa
Slovenian: razvi(ja)ti se
Spanish: formarse
Swedish: arta sig, se lovande ut
Turkish: gelişmek, istenen düzeye gelmek
See also: shapeless, shapely, in any shape (or form), out of shape, shaped, take shape

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary, © 2000-2006 K Dictionaries Ltd.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

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.

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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

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.

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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Shape

Shape\ (sh[=a]p), v. i. To suit; to be adjusted or conformable. [R.] --Shak.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
American Heritage Abbreviations Dictionary 3rd Edition - Cite This Source - Share This
SHAPE
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers, Europe

The American Heritage® Abbreviations Dictionary, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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SHAPE

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