From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Shape \Shape\ (sh[=a]p), verb (used with an object) [imp. {Shaped} (sh[=a]pt); p. p. {Shaped} or {Shapen} (sh[=a]p"'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}, noun]
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 imagine; to conceive; to call forth (ideas). [archaic]
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. [Obs.]
I will early shape me therefor. --Chaucer.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
adjective
1: forming or capable of forming or molding; "a formative influence"; "a formative experience" [syn: {formative}]
noun
1: any process serving to define the shape of something [syn: {defining}]
2: the fabrication of something in a particular shape [syn: {formation}]
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Let's see what we can do if we put our heads together.
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