forshape

English

Etymology

From Middle English forshapen, forschapen (to transform), from Old English forsċieppan, forsċeppan (to transform), from Proto-Germanic *fra- + *skapjaną, equivalent to for- + shape. Cognate with German verschaffen (to provide, supply, furnish), Swedish förskapa (to cut out).

Verb

forshape (third-person singular simple present forshapes, present participle forshaping, simple past forshaped, past participle forshaped or forshapen)

  1. (transitive, obsolete) To metamorphose; change the shape of; transform.
    • late 14th century, John Gower, Confessio Amantis
      Unkindelich he was transformed,
      That he which erst a man was formed,
      Into a woman was forshape,
      That was to him an angry jape.
  2. (transitive, obsolete) To put out of shape; distort; make misshapen; disfigure.
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