Fash"ion (?), n. [OE. fasoun,
facioun, shape, manner, F. facon, orig., a making, fr.
L. factio a making, fr. facere to make. See
Fact, Feat, and cf. Faction.]
1. The make or form of anything; the style,
shape, appearance, or mode of structure; pattern, model; as, the
fashion of the ark, of a coat, of a house, of an altar, etc.;
workmanship; execution.
The fashion of his countenance was
altered.
Luke ix. 29.
I do not like the fashion of your
garments.
Shak.
2. The prevailing mode or style, especially
of dress; custom or conventional usage in respect of dress, behavior,
etiquette, etc.; particularly, the mode or style usual among persons
of good breeding; as, to dress, dance, sing, ride, etc., in the
fashion.
The innocent diversions in
fashion.
Locke.
As now existing, fashion is a form of social
regulation analogous to constitutional government as a form of
political regulation.
H. Spencer.
3. Polite, fashionable, or genteel life;
social position; good breeding; as, men of fashion.
4. Mode of action; method of conduct; manner;
custom; sort; way. "After his sour fashion."
Shak.
After a fashion, to a certain extent; in a
sort. -- Fashion piece (Naut.), one
of the timbers which terminate the transom, and define the shape of
the stern. -- Fashion plate, a pictorial
design showing the prevailing style or a new style of dress.
Fash"ion, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Fashioned (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Fashioning.] [Cf. F. faconner.] 1.
To form; to give shape or figure to; to mold.
Here the loud hammer fashions female
toys.
Gay.
Ingenious art . . .
Steps forth to fashion and refine the age.
Cowper.
2. To fit; to adapt; to accommodate; -- with
to.
Laws ought to be fashioned to the manners and
conditions of the people.
Spenser.
3. To make according to the rule prescribed
by custom.
Fashioned plate sells for more than its
weight.
Locke.
4. To forge or counterfeit. [Obs.]
Shak.
Fashioning needle (Knitting Machine),
a needle used for widening or narrowing the work and thus shaping
it.