Pŏst'ūre1, n.
(pōst'yūr, 53), n. [Fr. posture, It. & Sp. postura, positura, Lat. positura, from ponere, positum, to place.]
Sense 1. (Fine Arts.) The situation of a figure with regard to the eye, and of the several principal members with regard to each other, by which action is expressed; attitude.
Postures should be accommodated to the character of the figure, and the posture of each member to its office. Postures are natural or artificial. Natural postures are such as our ordinary actions and the occasions of life lead us to exhibit. Artificial postures are such as are assumed or learned for particular purposes, or in particular occupations, as in dancing, fencing, and the like.
Sense 2. Especially, the situation or disposition of the several parts of the body with respect to each other, or with respect to a particular purpose.
He casts His eyes against the moon in most strange postures. Shak.
The posture of a poetic figure is a description of the heroes in the performance of such or such an action. Dryden.
Sense 3. Hence, state or condition, whether of external circumstances, or of internal feeling and will; disposition; mood; as, a posture of defense.
The several postures of his devout soul, in all conditions of life, are displayed with great simplicity. Atterbury.
Synonyms—Attitude; position. See ATTITUDE.