n.

1. 1. The characteristic surface configuration of a thing; an outline or contour. See synonyms at form.
   2. Something distinguished from its surroundings by its outline.
2. The contour of a person's body; the figure.
3. 1. 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).
   2. 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. 1. To plan to bring about the realization or accomplishment of; devise.
   2. To embody in a definite form: shaped a folk legend into a full-scale opera.
4. 1. To adapt to a particular use or purpose; adjust.
   2. 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.

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

shapable shap'a·ble or shape'a·ble adj.
shaped shaped adj.
shaper shap'er n.

noun

1. The external outline of a thing: cast, configuration, figure, form, pattern. See surface/depth.
2. A state of sound readiness: condition, fettle, fitness, form, kilter, order, trim. See better/worse.

verb

1. To give form to by or as if by pressing and kneading: form, model, mold. See surface/depth.
2. To create by forming, combining, or altering materials: assemble, build, construct, fabricate, fashion, forge¹, frame, make, manufacture, mold, produce, put together. See make/unmake.
3. To create by combining parts or elements: build, compose, configure, form, pattern, structure. See make/unmake.

In addition to the idiom beginning with shape, also see bent out of shape; in condition (shape); lick into shape; take shape.

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v

Definition: devise, plan
Antonyms: neglect

v

Definition: form, create
Antonyms: deform, destroy

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1. Any of a number of metal bars or beams of uniform section, as an I-beam.
2. To cut a profile or detail, as a beaded or rounded edge on a board.
3. To work a material to a required pattern, as on a shaper.

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A learning technique using gradual approximations to the desired response with reward at each step.

IN BRIEF: Something having a certain form.

There were cookies of every shape, circular, triangular, square, etc.

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

Dansk (Danish)
abbr. - Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers in Europe

Français (French)
abbr. - (abrév = Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe), quartier général des forces alliées de l'OTAN en Europe

Deutsch (German)
abbr. - oberstes NATO-Hauptquartier in Europa

Español (Spanish)
abbr. - (sigla) Casa Central Suprema de Fuerzas Unidas (Europa)

中文（简体） (Chinese (Simplified))
欧洲盟军最高司令部

中文（繁體） (Chinese (Traditional))
abbr. - Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe 之縮寫, 歐洲盟軍最高司令部

한국어 (Korean)
abbr. - Supreme Head-quarters Allied Powers in Europe (유럽 연합군 최고 사령부(1950))

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