Main Entry:

¹shape

Pronunciation:

\ˈshāp\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

shaped; shap·ing

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English sceapen, gescapen, past participle of scieppan; akin to Old High German skepfen to shape

Date:

before 12th century

transitive verb1: form, create ; especially : to give a particular form or shape to2obsolete : ordain, decree3: to adapt in shape so as to fit neatly and closely <a dress shaped to her figure>4 a: devise, plan <shape a policy> b: to embody in definite form <shaping a folktale into an epic>5 a: to make fit for (as a particular use or purpose) : adapt <shape the questions to fit the answers> b: to determine or direct the course or character of <events that shaped history> c: to modify (behavior) by rewarding changes that tend toward a desired responseintransitive verb1: to come to pass : happen <it's shaping up that I am known now for my husbands — Leslie Marmon Silko>2: to take on or approach a mature or definite form —often used with up<the summer is shaping up to be one of the hottest on record>

— shap·er noun