Shape (shāp), v. t. [imp.Shaped (shāpt); p. p.Shaped or Shapen (shāp″'n); p. pr. & vb. n.Shaping.] [OE. shapen, schapen, AS. sceapian. The p. p. shapen is from the strong verb, AS. scieppan, scyppan, sceppan, p. p. sceapen. See Shape, n.] 1. To form or create; especially, to mold or make into a particular form; to give proper form or figure to.
I was shapen in iniquity. Ps. li. 5.
Grace shaped her limbs, and beauty decked her face. Prior.
2. To adapt to a purpose; to regulate; to adjust; to direct; as, to shape the course of a vessel.
To the stream, when neither friends, nor force,
Nor speed nor art avail, he shapes his course. Denham.
Charmed by their eyes, their manners I acquire,
And shape my foolishness to their desire. Prior.
3. To image; to conceive; to body forth.
Oft my jealousy
Shapes faults that are not. Shak.
4. To design; to prepare; to plan; to arrange.
When shapen was all this conspiracy,
From point to point. Chaucer.
Shaping machine. (Mach.) Same as Shaper. — To shape one's self, to prepare; to make ready.
I will early shape me therefor. Chaucer.