Shape - English meaning

noun

The way that someone or something looks.

Usage examples:

She checked her appearance in the mirror

noun

The way a person or thing looks or seems to other people

Usage examples:

The most striking feature of his appearance was his long hair., her only screen appearances were in…

noun

An occasion when someone appears in public

Usage examples:

It was his first appearance on television/television appearance as president., she will be making a…

noun

A large solid piece of hard material, especially rock, stone, or wood, typically with flat surfaces on each side.

Usage examples:

A block of marble

verb

Make the movement or flow in (a passage, pipe, road, etc.) difficult or impossible.

Usage examples:

The narrow roads were blocked by cars

verb

Obstruct

noun

The physical structure, including the bones, flesh, and organs, of a person or an animal.

Usage examples:

It's important to keep your body in good condition

verb

Give material form to something abstract.

Usage examples:

He bodied forth the traditional prussian remedy for all ills

noun

The whole physical structure that forms a person or animal

Usage examples:

A good diet and plenty of exercise will help you to keep your body healthy., she rubbed suncream ov…

verb

Construct (something) by putting parts or material together.

Usage examples:

The ironworks were built in 1736

noun

The proportions of a person's or animal's body.

Usage examples:

She was of medium height and slim build

verb

To make something by putting bricks or other materials together

Usage examples:

Build a house they're building new houses by the river., the birds built their nest in the tree., b…

verb

Cut (a hard material) in order to produce an object, design, or inscription.

Usage examples:

The wood was carved with runes

verb

To make something by cutting into esp. wood or stone, or to cut into the surface of stone, wood, etc.

Usage examples:

[ t ] this totem pole is carved from a single tree trunk., [ i/t ] would you like me to carve (the …

verb

To make something by cutting into a hard material, especially wood or stone, or to cut into a hard material in order to make something

Usage examples:

Carve something out some of the tunnels in the cliff are natural, some were carved out (= cut into …

verb

Cause (light or shadow) to appear on a surface.

Usage examples:

The moon cast a pale light over the cottages

noun

Throw the hooked and baited end of (a fishing line) out into the water.

verb

The actors taking part in a play, film, or other production.

Usage examples:

He draws sensitive performances from his inexperienced cast

noun

The state of something with regard to its appearance, quality, or working order.

Usage examples:

The wiring is in good condition

verb

Have a significant influence on or determine (the manner or outcome of something).

Usage examples:

National choices are conditioned by the international political economy

noun

The particular state that something or someone is in

Usage examples:

Mum's still got our pram - it's very old, but it's in perfect condition., they left the flat in a t…

noun

An arrangement of parts or elements in a particular form, figure, or combination.

Usage examples:

The unrepeatable configuration of the stars at the moment of your birth

noun

The particular arrangement of the parts of something or of a group of things

Usage examples:

The two-lane configuration of the road leads to congestion.

noun

The way in which something, such as a computer system or software, is organized to operate

Usage examples:

When you press the spacebar, a message appears informing you that "set-up is inspecting your hardwa…

noun

An outline representing or bounding the shape or form of something.

Usage examples:

She traced the contours of his face with her finger

verb

Mould into a specific shape, especially one designed to fit into something else.

Usage examples:

The compartment has been contoured with smooth rounded corners

noun

The shape of a mass of land or other object, esp. of its surface, or the shape formed by its outer edge

Usage examples:

The distinctive contour of florida’s coast

verb

Bring (something) into existence.

Usage examples:

He created a thirty-acre lake

verb

Bring into existence

verb

To cause something to exist, or to make something new or imaginative

Usage examples:

He created some of the most magnificent works of art ever made., the new hotel is expected to creat…

verb

Make an opening, incision, or wound in (something) with a sharp-edged tool or object.

Usage examples:

He cut his toe on a sharp stone

noun

A stroke or blow given by a sharp-edged implement or by a whip or cane.

Usage examples:

He could skin an animal with a single cut of the knife

verb

Separate with or as if with an instrument

noun

A plan or drawing produced to show the look and function or workings of a building, garment, or other object before it is made.

Usage examples:

He has just unveiled his design for the new museum

verb

Decide upon the look and functioning of (a building, garment, or other object), by making a detailed drawing of it.

Usage examples:

A number of architectural students were designing a factory

verb

The act of working out the form of something

noun

A popular or the latest style of clothing, hair, decoration, or behaviour.

Usage examples:

The latest parisian fashions

verb

Make into a particular form.

Usage examples:

The bottles were fashioned from green glass

combining form

In the manner of something specified.

Usage examples:

The masts extend concertina-fashion

noun

Condition.

Usage examples:

Marguerite was in fine fettle

verb

Trim or clean the rough edges of (a metal casting or a piece of pottery) before firing.

Usage examples:

Others have fully finished designs which could have been used for impressing wax masters, or castin…

Healthy or strong, or in good condition

Usage examples:

"how was jane?" "oh, she was in fine fettle."

noun

A number, especially one which forms part of official statistics or relates to the financial performance of a company.

Usage examples:

The trade figures

verb

Have a significant part or role in a situation or process.

Usage examples:

The issue of nuclear policy figured prominently in the talks

noun

A number or an amount

Usage examples:

The collection was valued at $20 million, a figure that might cover the cost of having artists recr…

noun

The visible shape or configuration of something.

Usage examples:

The form, colour, and texture of the tree

verb

Variant spelling of forme.

combining form

Having the form of.

Usage examples:

Cruciform

noun

The way in which something is arranged or set out.

Usage examples:

The conventional format of tv situation comedies

verb

(especially in computing) arrange or put into a format.

Usage examples:

How to format a document

noun

The way in which something is shown or arranged

Usage examples:

The two candidates could not agree on the format of the tv debate.

noun

The action of forming or process of being formed.

Usage examples:

The formation of the great rift valley

noun

A large area of rock that has characteristics different from the land surrounding it

Usage examples:

[ u ] they called for the formation of a committee to investigate corruption., [ c ] unusual cloud …

noun

The development or creation of a company, organization, etc.

Usage examples:

His company has made excellent progress since its formation three years ago., the arts center is co…

noun

A rigid structure that surrounds something such as a picture, door, or windowpane.

Usage examples:

His mother stood in the frame of the kitchen door, hands on her hips and a grim expression on her f…

verb

Place (a picture or photograph) in a frame.

Usage examples:

He had had the photo framed

noun

A set of criteria or stated values in relation to which measurements or judgements can be made.

Usage examples:

The observer interprets what he sees in terms of his own cultural frame of reference

noun

The state of being free from illness or injury.

Usage examples:

He was restored to health

noun

The condition of the body or mind and the degree to which it is free from illness, or the state of being well

Usage examples:

Her health was much improved after she started exercising., fig. the health of the economy is still…

noun

The activity or business of providing medical services

Usage examples:

They welcomed the government's commitment to extra spending on health and education., treatment of …

verb

Chop or cut (something, especially wood or coal) with an axe, pick, or other tool.

Usage examples:

Master carpenters would hew the logs with an axe

abbreviation

(the us department of) health, education, and welfare.

Usage examples:

He was hew secretary 1970–73

noun

A long, narrow mark or band.

Usage examples:

A row of closely spaced dots will look like a continuous line

verb

Stand or be positioned at intervals along.

Usage examples:

A processional route lined by people waving flags

verb

Cover the inside surface of (a container or garment) with a layer of different material.

Usage examples:

A basket lined with polythene

verb

Form (something) by putting parts together or combining substances; create.

Usage examples:

My grandmother made a dress for me

noun

The manufacturer or trade name of a product.

Usage examples:

The make, model, and year of his car

verb

Perform or carry out

noun

A three-dimensional representation of a person or thing or of a proposed structure, typically on a smaller scale than the original.

Usage examples:

A model of st paul's cathedral

verb

A simplified description, especially a mathematical one, of a system or process, to assist calculations and predictions.

Usage examples:

A statistical model used for predicting the survival rates of endangered species

verb

A representation of something, often on a smaller scale

noun

A hollow container used to give shape to molten or hot liquid material when it cools and hardens.

Usage examples:

The smith would pour the molten metal into the shaped mould

verb

Form (an object) out of malleable material.

Usage examples:

Mould the figure from white fondant

noun

A furry growth of minute fungi occurring typically in moist warm conditions, especially on food or other organic matter.

Usage examples:

Mould may flourish unhindered

noun

A small cut or notch.

Usage examples:

A small nick on his wrist

verb

Make a nick or nicks in.

Usage examples:

He had nicked himself while shaving

verb

Go quickly or surreptitiously.

Usage examples:

They nicked across the road

noun

The arrangement or disposition of people or things in relation to each other according to a particular sequence, pattern, or method.

Usage examples:

I filed the cards in alphabetical order

verb

Give an authoritative instruction to do something.

Usage examples:

She ordered me to leave

verb

Logical arrangement of different elements

noun

A line or set of lines enclosing or indicating the shape of an object in a sketch or diagram.

Usage examples:

The chalked outline of a human body

verb

Draw, trace, or define the outer edge or shape of.

Usage examples:

Her eyes were darkly outlined with kohl

noun

A statement of the main facts, ideas, or items

Usage examples:

The house approved the broad outlines of the president’s budget., she drew the outline of a face., …

noun

A repeated decorative design.

Usage examples:

A neat blue herringbone pattern

verb

Decorate with a repeated design.

Usage examples:

He was sitting on a soft carpet patterned in rich colours

noun

A particular way in which something is done or organized, or in which something happens

Usage examples:

Our weather pattern comes from the northwest., a whole variety of behavior patterns affect infants.…

noun

The form, size, and development of a person's body.

Usage examples:

A sturdy, muscular physique

noun

The appearance, esp. shape and size, of a human body

Usage examples:

A small/large physique, a dancer’s physique

noun

An outline of something, especially a person's face, as seen from one side.

Usage examples:

The man turned and she caught his profile

verb

Describe (a person or organization) in a short article.

Usage examples:

He was to profile a backbench mp

verb

Restore (something damaged, faulty, or worn) to a good condition.

Usage examples:

Faulty electrical appliances should be repaired by an electrician

noun

The action of repairing something.

Usage examples:

The truck was beyond repair

noun

Frequent or habitual visiting of a place.

Usage examples:

She exhorted repair to the church

verb

Create or represent (something) by carving, casting, or other shaping techniques.

Usage examples:

Sculpting human figures from ivory

verb

Create by shaping stone or wood or other material

verb

To create solid objects that represent a thing, person, idea, etc. out of a material such as wood, clay, metal, or stone

Usage examples:

Johnny sculpted an old man's head out of wood., the dripping water had sculpted strange shapes out …

noun

The art of making three-dimensional representative or abstract forms, especially by carving stone or wood or by casting metal or plaster.

Usage examples:

The boundary between painting and sculpture is displaced

verb

The art of making two- or three-dimensional representative or abstract forms, especially by carving stone or wood or by casting metal or plaster.

Usage examples:

The boundary between painting and sculpture is displaced

noun

The art of creating objects out of material such as wood, clay, metal, or stone, or a work of art of this type

Usage examples:

[ c ] in the ruins they found ancient stone sculptures., picasso sculpted the "venus of lapigue.", …

noun

The dark shape and outline of someone or something visible in restricted light against a brighter background.

Usage examples:

She paused to see its silhouette against the dimming sky

verb

Cast or show (someone or something) as a dark shape and outline against a brighter background.

Usage examples:

The castle was silhouetted against the sky

noun

The particular condition that someone or something is in at a specific time.

Usage examples:

The state of the company's finances

verb

Express something definitely or clearly in speech or writing.

Usage examples:

The report stated that more than 51 per cent of voters failed to participate

noun

A condition or way of being

Usage examples:

The stable was preserved in its original state., your room is in a terrible state., it's a sad stat…

noun

The arrangement of and relations between the parts or elements of something complex.

Usage examples:

The two sentences have equivalent structures

verb

Construct or arrange according to a plan; give a pattern or organization to.

Usage examples:

Services must be structured so as to avoid pitfalls

noun

The arrangement or organization of parts in a system

Usage examples:

Molecular structure, [ u ] grammatical structure changes from language to language., [ c ] when the…

verb

Make (something) neat or of the required size or form by cutting away irregular or unwanted parts.

Usage examples:

Trim the grass using a sharp mower

noun

Additional decoration, typically along the edges of something and in contrasting colour or material.

Usage examples:

A red blazer with gold trim

adjective

Neat and smart in appearance; in good order.

Usage examples:

His face was freshly shaved, his clothes neat and trim

verb

Carve (wood) into an object by repeatedly cutting small slices from it.

Usage examples:

He was sitting at the tent door, whittling a piece of wood with a knife

verb

To slice thin pieces from a piece of wood, or to form something from wood by slicing pieces off it

Usage examples:

[ i ] he likes to whittle.