[syn: model, pose, sit, posture]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Posture \Pos"ture\ (?; 135), n. [F., fr. L. positura, fr.
ponere, positum, to place. See Position.]
1. The position of the body; the situation or disposition of
the several parts of the body with respect to each other,
or for a particular purpose; especially (Fine Arts), the
position of a figure with regard to the several principal
members by which action is expressed; attitude.
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Atalanta, the posture of whose limbs was so lively
expressed . . . one would have sworn the very
picture had run. --Sir P.
Sidney.
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In most strange postures
We have seen him set himself. --Shak.
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The posture of a poetic figure is a description of
his heroes in the performance of such or such an
action. --Dryden.
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2. Place; position; situation. [Obs.] --Milton.
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His [man's] noblest posture and station in this
world. --Sir M. Hale.
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3. State or condition, whether of external circumstances, or
of internal feeling and will; disposition; mood; as, a
posture of defense; the posture of affairs.
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The several postures of his devout soul.
--Atterbury.
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Syn: Attitude; position. See Attitude.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Posture \Pos"ture\ (?; 135), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Postured; p.
pr. & vb. n. Posturing.]
To place in a particular position or attitude; to dispose the
parts of, with reference to a particular purpose; as, to
posture one's self; to posture a model. --Howell.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Posture \Pos"ture\, v. i.
1. To assume a particular posture or attitude; to contort the
body into artificial attitudes, as an acrobat or
contortionist; also, to pose.
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2. Fig.: To assume a character; as, to posture as a saint.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
posture
n 1: the arrangement of the body and its limbs; "he assumed an
attitude of surrender" [syn: position, posture,
attitude]
2: characteristic way of bearing one's body; "stood with good
posture" [syn: carriage, bearing, posture]
3: a rationalized mental attitude [syn: position, stance,
posture]
4: capability in terms of personnel and materiel that affect the
capacity to fight a war; "we faced an army of great
strength"; "politicians have neglected our military posture"
[syn: military capability, military strength, strength,
military posture, posture]
v 1: behave affectedly or unnaturally in order to impress
others; "Don't pay any attention to him--he is always
posing to impress his peers!"; "She postured and made a
total fool of herself" [syn: pose, posture]
2: assume a posture as for artistic purposes; "We don't know the
woman who posed for Leonardo so often" [syn: model, pose,
sit, posture]