Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of 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. Atalanta, the posture of whose limbs was so lively expressed . . . one would have sworn the very picture had run. --Sir P. Sidney. In most strange postures We have seen him set himself. --Shak. The posture of a poetic figure is a description of his heroes in the performance of such or such an action. --Dryden. 2. Place; position; situation. [Obs.] --Milton. His [man's] noblest posture and station in this world. --Sir M. Hale. 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. The several postures of his devout soul. --Atterbury. Syn: Attitude; position. See {Attitude}.
\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.
\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. 2. Fig.: To assume a character; as, to posture as a saint.