释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024shape /ʃeɪp/USA pronunciation n., v., shaped, shap•ing. n. - the appearance of an object;
the way a person or thing looks on the outside:[countable]Italy has the shape of a boot when you see it on a map. - something seen in outline:[countable]A vague shape appeared through the mist.
- condition;
state of repair:[uncountable]The old house was in bad shape. She wants to exercise to get into shape (= to get into good physical condition). - orderly arrangement:[uncountable]He could give no shape to his ideas.
- the figure or body of a person, esp. of a woman:[countable]The actress still has a great shape.
v. - to give definite form to:[~ + object]to shape the ground beef into meatballs.
- to put in words:[~ + object]He shaped his criticism of her very carefully so as not to offend.
- to direct (one's course, etc.):[~ + object]The events of his youth shaped his whole way of thinking.
- shape up, [no object]
- to change, esp. favorably:Things are finally beginning to shape up in the economy.
- to improve one's behavior, performance, or physical condition:If you don't shape up, you'll be fired.
Idioms- Idioms take shape, to take on a more complete form;
become defined:Her ideas began to take shape and she wrote them down.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024shape (shāp),USA pronunciation n., v., shaped, shap•ing. n. - the quality of a distinct object or body in having an external surface or outline of specific form or figure.
- this quality as found in some individual object or body form:This lake has a peculiar shape.
- something seen in outline, as in silhouette:A vague shape appeared through the mist.
- an imaginary form;
phantom. - an assumed appearance;
guise:an angel in the shape of a woman. - a particular or definite organized form or expression:He could give no shape to his ideas.
- proper form;
orderly arrangement. - condition or state of repair:The old house was in bad shape. He was sick last year, but is in good shape now.
- the collective conditions forming a way of life or mode of existence:What will the shape of the future be?
- the figure, physique, or body of a person, esp. of a woman:A dancer can keep her shape longer than those of us who have sedentary jobs.
- something used to give form, as a mold or a pattern.
- Metallurgy, Building, BuildingAlso called section. Building Trades, Metalworking. a flanged metal beam or bar of uniform section, as a channel iron, I-beam, etc.
- Nautical, Naval Termsa ball, cone, drum, etc., used as a day signal, singly or in combinations, to designate a vessel at anchor or engaged in some particular operation.
- take shape, to assume a fixed form;
become definite:The house is beginning to take shape. v.t. - to give definite form, shape, organization, or character to;
fashion or form. - to couch or express in words:to shape a statement.
- to adjust;
adapt:He shaped everything to suit his taste. - to direct (one's course, future, etc.).
- to file the teeth of (a saw) to uniform width after jointing.
- Animal Behaviorto teach (a desired behavior) to a human or other animal by successively rewarding the actions that more and more closely approximate that behavior.
- [Obs.]to appoint;
decree. v.i. - to come to a desired conclusion or take place in a specified way:If discussions shape properly, the companies will merge.
- shape up:
- to assume a specific form:The plan is beginning to shape up.
- to evolve or develop, esp. favorably.
- to improve one's behavior or performance to meet a required standard.
- to get oneself into good physical condition.
- (of longshoremen) to get into a line or formation in order to be assigned the day's work.
- bef. 900; (noun, nominal) Middle English; Old English gesceapu (plural); replacing dialect, dialectal shap, Middle English; Old English gesceap (singular); cognate with Old Norse skap state, mood; (verb, verbal) Middle English; Old English sceapen (past participle); replacing Middle English sheppe, shippe, Old English sceppan, scyppan; cognate with German schaffen, Old Norse skepja, Gothic -skapjan to make
shap′a•ble, shape′a•ble, adj. - 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged silhouette, appearance. See form.
- 4.See corresponding entry in Unabridged specter, illusion.
- 7.See corresponding entry in Unabridged order, pattern.
- 8.See corresponding entry in Unabridged order, situation.
- 15.See corresponding entry in Unabridged mold, model.
SHAPE (shāp),USA pronunciation n. - GovernmentSupreme Headquarters Allied Powers, Europe.
Also, Shape. Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: shape /ʃeɪp/ n - the outward form of an object defined by outline
- the figure or outline of the body of a person
- a phantom
- organized or definite form: my plans are taking shape
- the form that anything assumes; guise
- something used to provide or define form; pattern; mould
- condition or state of efficiency: to be in good shape
- out of shape ⇒ in bad physical condition
- bent, twisted, or deformed
- take shape ⇒ to assume a definite form
vb - when intr, often followed by into or up: to receive or cause to receive shape or form
- (transitive) to mould into a particular pattern or form; modify
- (transitive) to plan, devise, or prepare: to shape a plan of action
Etymology: Old English gesceap, literally: that which is created, from scieppan to create; related to sceap sexual organs, Old Norse skap destiny, Old High German scaf formˈshapable, ˈshapeable adj ˈshaper n |