\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}.

\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.

\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.