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posture definition

pos·ture (päsc̸hər)

noun

  1. the position or carriage of the body in standing or sitting; bearing
  2. such a position assumed as in posing for an artist
  3. the way things stand; condition with respect to circumstances the delicate posture of foreign affairs
    1. an attitude of mind; frame of mind
    2. an attitude assumed merely for effect
  4. an official stand or position, as that taken by a nation on a major issue

Etymology: MFr < It postura < L positura, a position < ponere, to place: see position

transitive verb postured -·tured, posturing -·tur·ing

to place in a particular posture; pose

intransitive verb

to assume a bodily or mental posture; esp., to assume an attitude merely for effect; pose

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:
posture Synonyms

posture

n.

  1. Stance

    pose, carriage, bearing, stance, attitude, demeanor, aspect, presence, condition; see also carriage 1, position 5.

  2. Attitude

    way of thinking, feeling, sentiment; see attitude 2.

posture refers to the habitual or assumed disposition of the parts of the body in standing, sitting, etc. erect posture; attitude refers to a posture assumed either unconsciously, as in manifesting an emotion or state of mind, or intentionally for a particular purpose an attitude of watchfulness, to kneel in an attitude of prayer; pose suggests a posture assumed, usually deliberately, as for artistic effect to hold a pose for a photographer; stance refers to a particular way of standing, esp. with reference to the position of the feet, as in certain sports the stance of a golfer


posture

v.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

posture Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • defense: Both Houses resolve that the " kingdom should be put in a posture of defense " .

Converse of object

  • stoop: Gradually the pain caused Dennis to adopt a stooped posture which has never improved in spite of exercises.

Adjective modifier

  • upright: Then slowly restore an upright posture, starting at the ankles.

Modifies a noun

  • control: The axial system, which in fishes had only a locomotor function, was also required for support and posture control on land.

Noun used with modifier

  • yoga: Yoga postures are a remedy for the whole person.
posture usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

posture quotes

And now was acknowledged the presence of the Red Death. He had come like a thief in the night. And one by one dropped the revellers in the blood-bedecked halls of their revel, and died each in the despairing posture of his fall.

-Poe, EdgarAllan

posture quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"posture." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/posture>

APA Style

posture. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/posture

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