| 释义 |
shape
I. \ˈshāp\ verb
(shaped ; shaped or archaic shap·en \-pən\ ; shaping ; shapes)
Etymology: Middle English shapen, alteration of Old English sceppan, scyppan; akin to Old High German skepfen to shape, form, create, Old Norse skepja, Gothic gaskapjan to create, and perhaps to Latin scabere to scratch, scrape — more at shave
transitive verb
1. : form, create; especially : to give a particular or proper form to by or as if by molding or modeling from an undifferentiated mass
2. : to give definite or finished shape to especially by altering a prior shape
< shaping rolls from dough >
< shaped a sturdy mortar from the log >
3. obsolete : ordain, decree, destine, appoint
< there's a divinity that shapes our ends, roughhew them how we will — Shakespeare >
4.
a. : to alter or manipulate so as to give a particular form or produce a particular object — usually used with into
< shaping the seasoned lumber into a sturdy frame >
< shapes the clay into bricks >
< heat and shape the iron >
b. obsolete : to change in form : metamorphose
c. archaic : to cut out and fashion (as a garment)
d. : to adapt in shape usually so as to fit neatly and closely — usually used with to
< a dress shaped to her figure >
e. : to fashion (a knitted garment) by decreasing or increasing according to pattern
f. : to style (hair) by thinning and tapering especially to the contour of the head
5.
a. : to marshal facts and present them by way of (answer)
< shapes an earnest answer to the accusation >
b. : to give a particular form or direction to : devise, plan
< together shaped a dark conspiracy >
c. : to embody in definite or definitive form
< shaping a folktale into an epic >
— often used with up
< shaping up a set of notes for publication >
6. archaic : to bring about : contrive
7.
a. : to make fit for (as a particular use or purpose) : adapt, regulate, adjust
< shaping a character to future responsibilities >
b. : to determine or direct the course of (as conduct, life, history)
< shaping our plans for a happy holiday >
8. : to produce a plane surface on (work) by means of a tool that moves to and fro — compare mill, plane
intransitive verb
1. : to come to pass usually in a particular way : happen, befall
< if things shape right >
2. archaic : to cut out and fashion clothing
3. obsolete : suit, conform
4.
a. : to take on or approach a mature form — often used with up
b. : to develop to or toward a definitive form (as in character, proficiency, or excellence) : show promise — often used with up
Synonyms: see make
•
- shape one's course
II. noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English shap, from Old English gesceap, from ge- (perfective, associative, and collective prefix) + -sceap (akin to Old English sceppan, scyppan to shape, form, create) — more at co-
1.
a. : the visible makeup characteristic of a particular item or kind of item : characteristic appearance or visible form
< a demon appearing in the shape of a man >
b.
(1) : spatial form or contour that is usually fixed by a relatively constant spatial relation between the parts of the periphery or surface
< water takes the shape of its container >
< a common shape of glass >
< the shape of a jellyfish >
(2) : any of numerous standardized or universally recognized and usually basically geometric spatial forms or contours
< squares, diamonds, and other shapes >
< a hill of perfect cone shape >
c. : phonetic composition or structure or a representation thereof
< emphatic of has the shape \|əv\ or \|äv\, unemphatic of usually has the shape \əv\ >
2. : the appearance of the body usually as distinguished from that of the face : bodily contour especially with respect to beauty : figure
< bathing beauties showing their shapes >
< your whole shape shows when you stand against the light >
3. [Middle English shap male or female sex organ, from Old English sceap; akin to Old English sceppan, scyppan] dialect chiefly England : the female pudenda
4.
a. dialect chiefly England : a represented form (as a painting or photograph)
b. : phantom, apparition
c. : assumed appearance : guise, likeness
< our troubles started in the shape of a helpful neighbor >
d.
(1) obsolete : a theatrical role or its makeup
(2) : a stage costume
5. : form of embodiment (as in words) : form (as of thought) that is relatively definite and organized
< a plan was beginning to take shape as they argued >
< whipping his speech into shape >
6. : a mode of existence or form of being having identifying or individuating features
< the first shape of an essay >
< the final shape of a society >
7. : something having a particular form
< a hatter's shape >
< a metal shape for holding flowers >
as
a. : a mold for imparting a shape to a food (as a jelly or blancmange); also : a dish molded in a shape
b.
(1) : a length of metal (as a bar or beam) having a constant cross section; also : one with a cross section other than square, rectangular, round, or hexagonal
(2) : a piece roughly forged to approximately the final form
c. : a cone, ball, or drum of light metal or canvas hoisted in making signals on a ship
d. : a gaming die with one or more faces rounded so that it is more likely to fall one way than another
e. : the bend of a fishhook
8. dialect chiefly England : bodily posture : attitude
9.
a. : condition in which someone or something exists at a particular time usually as compared with a more general state or that of the same item at other occasions or on the average
< in excellent shape for his age >
< the market has been in poor shape lately >
b. : good condition (as for sports)
Synonyms: see form
•
- in no shape
- in shape
III. transitive verb
: to modify (behavior) by rewarding changes that tend toward a desired response |