take shape
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, especially 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.
00:10
Take shape
is always a great word to know.
So is gobo. Does it mean:
| a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare. |
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
verb (used without object)
Verb phrases 21.
to come to a desired conclusion or take place in a specified way: If discussions shape properly, the companies will merge.
22.
Idioms shape up,
a.
to assume a specific form: The plan is beginning to shape up.
b.
to evolve or develop, especially 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:
before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English gesceapu (plural); replacing dial. shap, Middle English; Old English gesceap (singular); cognate with Old Norse skap state, mood; (v.) Middle English; Old English sceapen (past participle); replacing Middle English sheppe, shippe, Old English sceppan, scyppan; cognate with German schaffen, Old Norse skepja, Gothic -skapjan to make
before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English gesceapu (plural); replacing dial. shap, Middle English; Old English gesceap (singular); cognate with Old Norse skap state, mood; (v.) Middle English; Old English sceapen (past participle); replacing Middle English sheppe, shippe, Old English sceppan, scyppan; cognate with German schaffen, Old Norse skepja, Gothic -skapjan to make
Related forms
shap·a·ble, shape·a·ble, adjective
out·shape, verb (used with object), out·shaped, out·shap·ing.
pre·shape, noun, verb (used with object), pre·shaped, pre·shap·ing.
trans·shape, verb (used with object), trans·shaped, trans·shap·ing.
un·shap·a·ble, adjective
Synonyms
1. silhouette, appearance. See form. 4. specter, illusion. 7. order, pattern. 8. order, situation. 14. mold, model.
1. silhouette, appearance. See form. 4. specter, illusion. 7. order, pattern. 8. order, situation. 14. mold, model.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To take shape
Collins
World English Dictionary
shape (ʃeɪp) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | the outward form of an object defined by outline |
| 2. | the figure or outline of the body of a person |
| 3. | a phantom |
| 4. | organized or definite form: my plans are taking shape |
| 5. | the form that anything assumes; guise |
| 6. | something used to provide or define form; pattern; mould |
| 7. | condition or state of efficiency: to be in good shape |
| 8. | out of shape |
| a. in bad physical condition | |
| b. bent, twisted, or deformed | |
| 9. | take shape to assume a definite form |
| —vb (when intr, | |
| 10. | to receive or cause to receive shape or form |
| 11. | (tr) to mould into a particular pattern or form; modify |
| 12. | (tr) to plan, devise, or prepare: to shape a plan of action |
| 13. | an obsolete word for appoint |
| [Old English gesceap, literally: that which is created, from scieppan to create; related to sceap sexual organs, Old Norse skap destiny, Old High German scaf form] | |
| 'shapable | |
| —adj | |
| 'shapeable | |
| —adj | |
| 'shaper | |
| —n | |
| SHAPE (ʃeɪp) | |
| —n acronym for | |
| Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
shape
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."
shape
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, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Abbreviations & Acronyms
| 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.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases
take shape
Also, shape up. Turn out, develop, acquire a distinctive form, as in Her reelection campaign is already taking shape, two years before the election, or Can you tell us how the book is shaping up? The first term dates from the mid-1700s and the variant, originally put as shape out, from about 1600.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Nearby Words
Synonyms
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