SHAPE

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.

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 spead nor art avail, he shapes his course. Denham. Charmed by their eyes, their manners I acqire, And shape my foolishness to their desire. Prior.

To image; to conceive; to body forth. Oft my jealousy Shapes faults that are not. Shak.

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.

To suit; to be adjusted or conformable. [R.] Shak.

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.

That which has form or figure; a figure; an appearance; a being. Before the gates three sat, On either side, a formidable shape. Milton.

A model; a pattern; a mold.

Form of embodiment, as in words; form, as of thought or conception; concrete embodiment or example, as of some quality. Milton.

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.

A rolled or hammered piece, as a bar, beam, angle iron, etc., having a cross section different from merchant bar.

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.