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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.