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n. 1. a. A position of a person's body or body parts: a sitting posture; the posture of a supplicant. b. A characteristic way of bearing one's body; carriage: stooped posture. 2. Zoology A position of an animal's body or body parts, especially for the purpose of communication: a dog's submissive posture. 3. Relative placement or arrangement: the posture of the buildings on the land. 4. A condition or state under certain circumstances: the nation's posture in the world economy. 5. a. An attitude or way of behaving, especially when adopted to have an effect on others: assumed a posture of angry defiance. b. An approach or policy with regard to something: adjusting the government's defense posture. v. pos·tured, pos·tur·ing, pos·tures v.intr. 1. To assume a certain, often exaggerated body position; pose. 2. To assume a certain attitude or behave in a certain way, especially to make an impression or gain an advantage: "They postured as Southern Loyalists to win the support of ex-Confederates" (James M. Smallwood). 3. Zoology To assume a certain position of the body or of body parts, often as part of a display. v.tr. 1. To put into a specific posture; pose: The photographer postured the model. 2. To place in a certain arrangement or condition: an army that was postured for defense. [French, from Italian postura, from Latin positūra, position, from positus, past participle of pōnere, to place; see apo- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] postur·al adj. postur·er, postur·ist n. Synonyms: posture, attitude, carriage, pose1, stance These nouns denote a position of the body and limbs: erect posture; an attitude of prayer; dignified carriage; a reclining pose; an athlete's alert stance. |
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