Shape , n. [OE.
shap, schap, AS. sceap in gesceap creation, creature, fr. the root of scieppan,
scyppan, sceppan, to shape, to do,
to effect; akin to OS.
giskeppian, OFries. skeppa, D.
scheppen, G. schaffen, OHG.
scaffan, scepfen, skeffen, Icer. skapa,
skepja, Dan. skabe, skaffe, Sw.
skapa, skaffa, Goth. gaskapjan,
and perhaps to E. shave, v. Cf. -ship.]
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. 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. A model; a pattern; a mold.
4. Form of embodiment, as in words; form, as of thought
or conception; concrete embodiment or example, as of some quality. Milton.
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. (Iron Manuf.) (a) A rolled or hammered piece, as a bar, beam, angle iron, etc., having a cross section different from merchant bar. (b) A piece which
has been roughly forged nearly to the form it will receive when completely forged or
fitted.
To take
shape, to assume a definite form.
Shape (shāp), v. i. To suit; to be adjusted or conformable. [R.]
Shak.
Shape (shāp), v. t. [imp. Shaped (shāpt); p. p. Shaped or Shapen (shāp"'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.
Hear it pronounced