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 verb 1 : form, create; especially : to give a particular form or shape to
2 obsolete : ordain, decree
3 : 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 verb 1 : 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