The meaning of Shape

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

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

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

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

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

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.