Shaping

noun
1.
the quality of a distinct object or body in having an external surface or outline of specific form or figure.
2.
this quality as found in some individual object or body form:
This lake has a peculiar shape.
3.
something seen in outline, as in silhouette:
A vague shape appeared through the mist.
4.
an imaginary form; phantom.
5.
an assumed appearance; guise:
an angel in the shape of a woman.
6.
a particular or definite organized form or expression:
He could give no shape to his ideas.
7.
proper form; orderly arrangement.
8.
condition or state of repair:
The old house was in bad shape. He was sick last year, but is in good shape now.
9.
the collective conditions forming a way of life or mode of existence:
What will the shape of the future be?
10.
the figure, physique, or body of a person, especially of a woman:
A dancer can keep her shape longer than those of us who have sedentary jobs.
11.
something used to give form, as a mold or a pattern.
12.
Also called section. Building Trades, Metalworking. a flanged metal beam or bar of uniform section, as a channel iron, I-beam, etc.
13.
Nautical. a 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.
verb (used with object), shaped, shaping.
14.
to give definite form, shape, organization, or character to; fashion or form.
15.
to couch or express in words:
to shape a statement.
16.
to adjust; adapt:
He shaped everything to suit his taste.
17.
to direct (one’s course, future, etc.).
18.
to file the teeth of (a saw) to uniform width after jointing.
19.
Animal Behavior, Psychology. to teach (a desired behavior) to a human or other animal by successively rewarding the actions that more and more closely approximate that behavior.
20.
Obsolete. to appoint; decree.
verb (used without object), shaped, shaping.
21.
to come to a desired conclusion or take place in a specified way:
If discussions shape properly, the companies will merge.
Verb phrases
22.
shape up,

to assume a specific form:
The plan is beginning to shape up.
to evolve or develop, especially 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.

Idioms
23.
take shape, to assume a fixed form; become definite:
The house is beginning to take shape.
noun
1.
the outward form of an object defined by outline
2.
the figure or outline of the body of a person
3.
a phantom
4.
organized or definite form: my plans are taking shape
5.
the form that anything assumes; guise
6.
something used to provide or define form; pattern; mould
7.
condition or state of efficiency: to be in good shape
8.
out of shape

in bad physical condition
bent, twisted, or deformed

9.
take shape, to assume a definite form
verb
10.
when intr, often foll by into or up. to receive or cause to receive shape or form
11.
(transitive) to mould into a particular pattern or form; modify
12.
(transitive) to plan, devise, or prepare: to shape a plan of action
13.
an obsolete word for appoint
noun acronym
1.
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe

shaping shap·ing (shā’pĭng)
n.
A technique that is used in operant conditioning in which the behavior is modified by stepwise reinforcement of behaviors that produce progressively closer approximations of the desired behavior.
shantytown
SHAPE
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers, Europe