shape

v. t. [ imp. Shaped p. p. Shaped or Shapen 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

I was shapen in iniquity. Ps. li. 5. [ 1913 Webster ]

Grace shaped her limbs, and beauty decked her face. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To adapt to a purpose; to regulate; to adjust; to direct; as, to shape the course of a vessel. [ 1913 Webster ]

To the stream, when neither friends, nor force,
Nor speed nor art avail, he shapes his course. Denham. [ 1913 Webster ]

Charmed by their eyes, their manners I acquire,
And shape my foolishness to their desire. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To imagine; to conceive; to call forth (ideas). [ archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Oft my jealousy
Shapes faults that are not. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To design; to prepare; to plan; to arrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

When shapen was all this conspiracy,
From point to point. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Shaping machine. (Mach.) Same as Shaper. --
To shape one's self, to prepare; to make ready. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I will early shape me therefor. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

He beat me grievously, in the shape of a woman. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which has form or figure; a figure; an appearance; a being. [ 1913 Webster ]

Before the gates three sat,
On either side, a formidable shape. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A model; a pattern; a mold. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Form of embodiment, as in words; form, as of thought or conception; concrete embodiment or example, as of some quality. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Dress for disguise; guise. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Look better on this virgin, and consider
This Persian shape laid by, and she appearing
In a Greekish dress. Messinger. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

To take shape, to assume a definite form. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Destitute of shape or regular form; wanting symmetry of dimensions; misshapen; -- opposed to shapely. -- Shape"less*ness, n. [1913 Webster]

The shapeless rock, or hanging precipice. Pope. [1913 Webster]

n. The quality or state of being shapely. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Compar. Shapelier superl. Shapeliest. ] 1. Well-formed; having a regular shape; comely; symmetrical. T. Warton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Waste sandy valleys, once perplexed with thorn,
The spiry fir and shapely box adorn. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

Where the shapely column stood. Couper. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Fit; suitable. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Shaply for to be an alderman. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]