{
  "id": "shape.geometric",
  "term": "shape",
  "sense": "geometric",
  "pos": "noun",
  "status": "review",
  "level": 3,
  "arena": "common",
  "domain": "everyday",
  "style": null,
  "definition": "A structure of matter in a space.",
  "folk_gloss": null,
  "emergence": {
    "components": [
      "structure.arrangement",
      "matter.substance",
      "space.extent"
    ],
    "interaction": "The arrangement of matter within a place of space is a shape.",
    "novel_properties": [
      "spatial outline",
      "geometric identity"
    ]
  },
  "examples": [
    {
      "text": "The hexagonal basalt columns of the Giant's Causeway formed from slow cooling of lava in Northern Ireland.",
      "domain": "geology"
    },
    {
      "text": "The spherical shape of a soap bubble minimizes surface tension in three-dimensional space.",
      "domain": "physics"
    },
    {
      "text": "The Parthenon's rectangular plan and curved stylobate correct optical distortions for human perception.",
      "domain": "architecture"
    }
  ],
  "relations": [
    {
      "id": "structure.arrangement",
      "type": "is-a",
      "note": "shape is a kind of arrangement"
    },
    {
      "id": "matter.substance",
      "type": "abstracts",
      "note": "shape abstracts patterns of matter"
    }
  ],
  "used_by": [
    "key.tool",
    "liquid.state",
    "metal.element",
    "smith.metalwork"
  ],
  "forms": [
    "shape",
    "shaped",
    "shapes",
    "shaping"
  ],
  "closed": true,
  "provenance": {
    "author": "openrouter:openai/gpt-oss-120b",
    "date": "2026-07-29",
    "confidence": 0.6
  },
  "canonical": "https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-shape.geometric"
}