posture

[pos-cher]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR posture ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the relative disposition of the parts of something.

the position of the limbs or the carriage of the body as a whole: poor posture; a sitting posture.

an affected or unnatural attitude: He struck a comic posture.

a mental or spiritual attitude: His ideas reveal a defensive posture.

one's image or policy as perceived by the public, other nations, etc.: The company wants to develop a more aggressive marketing posture.

position, condition, or state, as of affairs.

verb (used with object), pos·tured, pos·tur·ing.

to place in a particular posture or attitude.

to position, especially strategically: to posture troops along a border.

to develop a policy or stance for (oneself, a company, government, etc.): The White House postured itself for dealing with the fuel crisis.

to adopt an attitude or take an official position on (a matter): The company postured that the court's ruling could be interpreted as being in its favor.

verb (used without object), pos·tured, pos·tur·ing.

to assume a particular posture.

to assume affected or unnatural postures, as by bending or contorting the body.

to act in an affected or artificial manner, as to create a certain impression.

Origin of posture

1595–1605; < French < Italian postura < Latin positūra. See posit, -ure

Related formspos·tur·al, adjectivepos·tur·er, noun

Synonyms for posture

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR posture ON THESAURUS.COM

2. See position.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for posture

Contemporary Examples of posture

He throws every fiber of his being into each performance, altering his posture, elocution, temperament, and more.
Oscars 2015: The Daily Beast’s Picks, From Scarlett Johansson to ‘Boyhood’
Marlow Stern
January 6, 2015
The researchers found that certain parameters, such as walking speed and posture, can affect the recognition of emotion.
Japan's Robots Are Reading Your Emotions
Angela Erika Kubo, Jake Adelstein
August 6, 2014
When we need a strong, cooperative tone to the relationship, our current posture is seen as uncaring.
Let's Get Real: Washington Can't Walk Away From Cairo
Frank G. Wisner
May 26, 2014
Were they to amend their posture, they would only be further isolating themselves.
Obama Gambles Iran Nuke Talks to Punish Putin
Josh Rogin, Eli Lake
March 21, 2014
Each step focuses on a different part of the guided meditation practice such as “breath”, “posture” and “mindset”.
These 7 iPhone Apps for Meditation Make Us Want To Inhale, Exhale, Inhale, Exhale
Courtney Boyd Myers
January 26, 2014

Historical Examples of posture

He was sitting yonder when I began to dress, and has scarcely changed his posture since.
Barnaby Rudge
Charles Dickens
Our posture must be that of holy reverence, of quiet waiting and adoration.
The Ministry of Intercession
Andrew Murray
Try and recall the posture of your affairs, when I extricated you and brought you to Seuthes.
Anabasis
Xenophon
She felt the indecorum of the posture he had condescended to take, and was shocked.
A Simple Story
Mrs. Inchbald
Whoever has need of another is indigent, and assumes a posture.
Diderot and the Encyclopdists
John Morley

British Dictionary definitions for posture

posture

noun

a position or attitude of the limbs or body

a characteristic manner of bearing the body; carriageto have good posture

the disposition of the parts of a visible object

a mental attitude or frame of mind

a state, situation, or condition

a false or affected attitude; pose

verb

to assume or cause to assume a bodily position or attitude

(intr) to assume an affected or unnatural bodily or mental posture; pose

Derived Formspostural, adjectiveposturer, noun

Word Origin for posture

C17: via French from Italian postura, from Latin positūra, from pōnere to place

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for posture

c.1600, from French posture (16c.), from Italian postura "position, posture," from Latin positura "position, station," from postulus, past participle of ponere "put, place" (see position (n.)).

1620s, literal, from posture (n.). The figurative sense of "take up an artificial mental position" is attested from 1877. Related: Postured; posturing.

posture in Medicine

posture

[pŏs′chər]

n.

A position of the body or of body parts.

A characteristic or prescribed way of bearing one's body; carriage.

posture

noun

verb (used with object), pos·tured, pos·tur·ing.

verb (used without object), pos·tured, pos·tur·ing.

Origin of posture

Synonyms for posture

Related Words for posture

Examples from the Web for posture

Contemporary Examples of posture

Historical Examples of posture

posture

noun

verb

Word Origin for posture

posture

n.