shaping

SHAPE  (shp)

abbr.

Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers, Europe

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shape  (shp)

n.

1.

a. The characteristic surface configuration of a thing; an outline or contour. See Synonyms at form.

b. Something distinguished from its surroundings by its outline.

2. The contour of a person's body; the figure.

3.

a. A definite distinctive form: "The bomb gave the shape of life, outer and inner, an irreversible charge; a sense of fatefulness would now lie on all things" (Alfred Kazin).

b. A desirable form: a fabric that holds its shape.

4. A form or condition in which something may exist or appear; embodiment: a god in the shape of a swan.

5. Assumed or false appearance; guise.

6. A ghostly form; a phantom.

7. Something, such as a mold or pattern, used to give or determine form.

8. The proper condition of something necessary for action, effectiveness, or use: an athlete in excellent shape.

v. shaped, shap·ing, shapes

v.tr.

1. To give a particular form to; create.

2. To cause to conform to a particular form or pattern; adapt to fit.

3.

a. To plan to bring about the realization or accomplishment of; devise.

b. To embody in a definite form: shaped a folk legend into a full-scale opera.

4.

a. To adapt to a particular use or purpose; adjust.

b. To direct the course of: "He shaped history as well as being shaped by it" (Robert J. Samuelson).

v.intr.

1. To come to pass; happen.

2. To take on a definite shape or form. Often used with up or into.

Phrasal Verb:

shape up

1. Informal To turn out; develop.

2. To improve so as to meet a standard: Either shape up or ship out.

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[Middle English, from Old English gesceap, a creation.]

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shapa·ble, shapea·ble adj.

shaped adj.

shaper n.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	shaping - any process serving to define the shape of something defining physical process, process - a sustained phenomenon or one marked by gradual changes through a series of states; "events now in process"; "the process of calcification begins later for boys than for girls"
	2.	shaping - the act of fabricating something in a particular shape formation manufacturing, manufacture, fabrication - the act of making something (a product) from raw materials; "the synthesis and fabrication of single crystals"; "an improvement in the manufacture of explosives"; "manufacturing is vital to Great Britain" filing - the act of using a file (as in shaping or smoothing an object) forging - shaping metal by heating and hammering metalworking, metalwork - the activity of making things out of metal in a skillful manner granulation - the act of forming something into granules or grains; "the granulation of medicines" grooving, rifling - the cutting of spiral grooves on the inside of the barrel of a firearm turning - the activity of shaping something on a lathe
Adj.	1.	shaping - forming or capable of forming or molding or fashioning; "a formative influence"; "a formative experience" formative, plastic constructive - constructing or tending to construct or improve or promote development; "constructive criticism"; "a constructive attitude"; "a constructive philosophy"; "constructive permission"