shape (v.) Copy link Outline A. Trans.I. To form or createII. To mould or make into a particular form1. formo, 12. fingo, finxi, nctum, 33. fĭgŭro, 1B. Intrans. • shape (v.): A. Trans.: I. To form or create: formo, conformo, fingo, fĭgūro, etc.: v. to form. II. To mould or make into a particular form: 1. formo, 1: matter which the efficient cause s.s, materia quam format effectio, Cic. Acad. 1, 2, 6. Fig.: we s. and fashion words like the softest wax to our will, verba nos, sicut mollissimam ceram ad nostrum arbitrium formamus et fingimus, id. de Or. 3, 45, 177: to s. a speech, orationem f., ib. 2, 9, 36. Comp. (1). conformo, 1. if I thought that the world had been built, not shaped by nature, si mundum aedificatum esse, non a natura conformatum putarem, id. N. D. 3, 10, fin. Fig.: to s. the mind and intellect by reflection on excellent men, animum et mentem cogitatione hominum excellentium c., id. Arch. 6, fin. (2). dēformo, 1 (less freq.): to s. marbles, marmora d., Quint. 5, 11, 30: Cic. Sull. 26, 73 (in fig. sense). (3). informo, 1; to s. a shield, Virg. Aen. 8, 447. 2. fingo, finxi, nctum, 3: v. to mould. 3. fĭgŭro, 1: he s.s the world in that form in which alone all other forms are contained, mundum ea forma figurat qua una omnes reliquae formae concluduntur, Cic. Tim. 6, init. Phr.: to s. one's course: s. your course towards the groves ..., cursum dirigite in lucos ..., Virg. Aen. 6, 194. B. Intrans.: Phr.: to s. well for anything: expr. by prōmitto, etc.: v. to promise (III.).