change of shape
- noun
:
cambio de forma
- In nature, a caterpillar undergoes a remarkable change of shape when it transforms into a butterfly.
Examples
-
The rate of change of shape is less rapid in this region (9).
Academic text (1992) -
Such thin vortices are steady solutions of ideal fluid mechanics: like vortex rings, they translate and rotate in the fluid without change of shape.
Academic text (1996) -
As surface pressure was decreased from 18 mmHg back to control (3.7 mmHg), there was a rapid decrease in elastic deformation (change of shape) followed by a gradual recovery.
Academic text (1999) -
The sculptor admired the change of shape in the clay as she worked to create her masterpiece.
-
The balloon experienced a gradual change of shape as the air escaped, becoming smaller and softer.
Synonyms
241
3.7
A complete change in form or appearance, for example a caterpillar becoming a butterfly
102
3.3
A change made to something
13
3.0
Giving something a particular shape
7
5.9
A change in the shape of an object that makes it look or work worse
4
7.2
A twisting of a body part or object into an unusual shape
1
9.0
A big change in appearance that makes something more beautiful or special
1
7.8
Bending or twisting of a thing so it loses its original shape
Antonyms
How Much
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'the action or process by which the shape of something is altered' is directly and transparently derived from the constituents 'change' (to alter) + 'shape' (form or outline) linked by the preposition 'of'; this is a standard compositional 'change of X' noun phrase. This pattern is cross-linguistically common and follows regular English noun-phrase composition, so a B1 learner who knows the parts will readily understand it.
Etymology
The phrase change of shape comes from the simple image of clay or heated metal being pressed so its shape changes and the change can be seen. So it means 'the action of something becoming a different form'.