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.
Shapeless
(Shape"less), a. Destitute of shape or regular form; wanting symmetry of dimensions; misshapen; —
opposed to shapely. — Shape"less*ness, n.
The shapeless rock, or hanging precipice.
Pope. Shapeliness
(Shape"li*ness) n. The quality or state of being shapely.
Shapely
(Shape"ly), a. [Compar. Shapelier ; superl. Shapeliest.]
1. Well-formed; having a regular shape; comely; symmetrical. T. Warton.
Waste sandy valleys, once perplexed with thorn,
The spiry fir and shapely box adorn.
Pope.
Where the shapely column stood.
Couper. 2. Fit; suitable. [Obs.]
Shaply for to be an alderman.
Chaucer. Shaper
(Shap"er) n.
1. One who shapes; as, the shaper of one's fortunes.
The secret of those old shapers died with them.
Lowell. 2. That which shapes; a machine for giving a particular form or outline to an object. Specifically; (a)
(Metal Working) A kind of planer in which the tool, instead of the work, receives a reciprocating motion,
usually from a crank. (b) (Wood Working) A machine with a vertically revolving cutter projecting above
a flat table top, for cutting irregular outlines, moldings, etc.
Shapoo
(Sha"poo) n. (Zoöl.) The oörial.
