Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
to preshape

to preshape

5.9
To shape something a little before its final use
  • verb
  • /ˈpriːʃeɪp/
translation icon : preformar
  • The architect decided to preshape the clay into bricks for easier construction later.

Examples

  • Wymez had given him some good flint before he left, roughed out and preshaped so that new points could be made easily.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • Before molding the metal, they will preshape it to ensure it fits perfectly.

  • The artist preshaped the paper mache into a figure before painting the details.

Synonyms

to shape
vsto preshape
299 2.0

To give something a certain form for a purpose

occurs earlier as a preparatory step before final processing
to preform
vsto preshape
  • Specialized
1 7.1

To shape something into a basic form before final use

occurs earlier to prepare for processing or fitting

How Shaped

to finish
  • Informal
239 2.4
to preshape
5.9
to shape
299 2.0
to rough out
1 5.1

Surface Forms

preshape infinitive
preshaped past
preshaped past participle
preshaping present participle
preshapes third person singular

Morphology

preshape = shape (transparent) = pre + shape

The meaning is a straightforward application of 'pre-' meaning 'before' to the verb 'shape'.

Etymology

Preshape comes from the parts pre- 'before' and shape 'to give form'. So to preshape something is to give it an early or first form 'before' the final fitting or work, like a baker who shapes dough once before the last rise.