Shape, v. t. [imp. Shaped; p. p. Shaped or Shapen; p. pr. & vb. n. Shaping.]
Etymology: [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 spead nor art avail, he shapes his course. Denham. Charmed by their eyes, their manners I acqire, 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. [Obs.] I will early shape me therefor. Chaucer.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Shape, v. i.
To suit; to be adjusted or conformable. [R.] Shak.
Shape, n.
1. Character or construction of a thing as determining its external appearance; outward aspect; make; figure; form; guise; as, the shape of a tree; the shape of the head; an elegant shape. He beat me grievously, in the shape of a woman. Shak.
2. That which has form or figure; a figure; an appearance; a being. Before the gates three sat, On either side, a formidable shape. Milton.
3. A model; a pattern; a mold.
4. Form of embodiment, as in words; form, as of thought or conception; concrete embodiment or example, as of some quality. Milton.
5. Dress for disguise; guise. [Obs.] Look better on this virgin, and consider This Persian shape laid by, and she appearing In a Greekish dress. Messinger.
6. (Iron Manuf.) (a) A rolled or hammered piece, as a bar, beam, angle iron, etc., having a cross section different from merchant bar. (b) A piece which has been roughly forged nearly to the form it will receive when completely forged or fitted. To take shape, to assume a definite form.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for shape; he lists it under make.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.