51³Ō¹Ļ

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View synonyms for

shape

1

[sheyp]

noun

  1. the quality of a distinct object or body in having an external surface or outline of specific form or figure.

    Synonyms: ,
  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.

    Synonyms: ,
  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.

    Synonyms: ,
  8. condition or state of repair.

    The old house was in bad shape. He was sick last year, but is in good shape now.

    Synonyms: ,
  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.ĢżBuilding Trades, Metalworking.Ģża flanged metal beam or bar of uniform section, as a channel iron, I-beam, etc.

  13. Nautical.Ģża 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)

shaped, shaping 
  1. to give definite form, shape, organization, or character to; fashion or form.

    Synonyms: ,
  2. to couch or express in words.

    to shape a statement.

  3. to adjust; adapt.

    He shaped everything to suit his taste.

  4. to direct (one's course, future, etc.).

  5. to file the teeth of (a saw) to uniform width after jointing.

  6. Animal Behavior, Psychology.Ģżto teach (a desired behavior) to a human or other animal by successively rewarding the actions that more and more closely approximate that behavior.

  7. Obsolete.Ģżto appoint; decree.

verb (used without object)

shaped, shaping 
  1. to come to a desired conclusion or take place in a specified way.

    If discussions shape properly, the companies will merge.

verb phrase

    1. to assume a specific form.

      The plan is beginning to shape up.

    2. to evolve or develop, especially favorably.

    3. to improve one's behavior or performance to meet a required standard.

    4. to get oneself into good physical condition.

    5. (of longshoremen) to get into a line or formation in order to be assigned the day's work.

SHAPE

2
Or Shape

[sheyp]

noun

  1. Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers, Europe.

shape

1

/ ʃ±šÉŖ±č /

noun

  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

    1. in bad physical condition

    2. bent, twisted, or deformed

  8. to assume a definite form

ā€œCollins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridgedā€ 2012 Digital Edition Ā© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 Ā© HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to receive or cause to receive shape or form

  2. (tr) to mould into a particular pattern or form; modify

  3. (tr) to plan, devise, or prepare

    to shape a plan of action

  4. an obsolete word for appoint

ā€œCollins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridgedā€ 2012 Digital Edition Ā© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 Ā© HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

SHAPE

2

/ ʃ±šÉŖ±č /

acronym

  1. Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe

ā€œCollins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridgedā€ 2012 Digital Edition Ā© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 Ā© HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51³Ō¹Ļ Forms

  • shapable adjective
  • shapeable adjective
  • outshape verb (used with object)
  • preshape noun
  • transshape verb (used with object)
  • unshapable adjective
  • unshapeable adjective
  • unshaping adjective
  • ˈ²õ³ó²¹±č±š°ł noun
  • ˈ²õ³ó²¹±č²¹²ś±ō±š adjective
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51³Ō¹Ļ History and Origins

Origin of shape1

First recorded before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English gesceapu (plural); replacing dialectal shap, Middle English; Old English gesceap (singular); cognate with Old Norse skap ā€œstate, moodā€; (verb) 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 ā€œto makeā€
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51³Ō¹Ļ History and Origins

Origin of shape1

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
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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. take shape, to assume a fixed form; become definite.

    The house is beginning to take shape.

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

See form.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"We are delighted to go through. German darts is in good shape right now and we will continue to push forward."

From

Concluding that Didion left these pages behind so they would eventually take shape as the penance of an unreliable narrator is surely too tidy.

From

"We are unique in a lot of ways, our present and future is shaped by our past. It is a chance for us to rejoice in something, forget our issues and come together."

From

ā€œHe is a mix between a bird of prey, like a peregrine falcon, with extremely streamlined shapes — of course a feline but also a Mexican salamander called an axolotl,ā€ Otto says.

From

But that didn't last long due to differences in their views on who leads the coalition and what will be the shape of the regime after toppling the current one.

From

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Related 51³Ō¹Ļs

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Ā© Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American HeritageĀ® Idioms Dictionary copyright Ā© 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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