Pos"ture , v. i. 1. To
assume a particular posture or attitude; to contort the body into
artificial attitudes, as an acrobat or
contortionist; also,
to pose.
2. Fig.: To assume a character; as, to posture as a saint.
Pos"ture (?; 135), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Postured (?);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Posturing.]
To place in a particular position or attitude; to dispose the parts of, with reference to a particular purpose; as, to posture one's self; to posture a model. Howell.
Pos"ture (?; 135), n.
[F., fr. L. positura, fr.
ponere, positum, to place. See Position.]
1. The position of the body; the situation or disposition of the several parts of the body with
respect to each other, or for a particular purpose; especially (Fine
Arts), the position of a figure with regard to the several principal members
by which action is expressed; attitude.
Atalanta, the posture of whose limbs was so lively
expressed . . . one would have sworn the very picture had run.
Sir P. Sidney. In most strange
postures
We have seen him set
himself.
Shak.
The posture of a poetic figure is a description of his heroes in the performance of such or such an action.
Dryden.
2. Place; position; situation. [Obs.] Milton.
His [man's] noblest posture and station in this world.
Sir M. Hale.
3. State or condition, whether of external circumstances, or of internal feeling and will; disposition; mood; as, a posture of defense; the posture of affairs.
The several
postures of his devout soul.
Atterbury. Syn. -- Attitude; position. See Attitude.
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