posture

pos·ture / ˈpäschər/ • n. a position of a person's body when standing or sitting: he stood in a flamboyant posture with his hands on his hips | good posture will protect your spine. ∎  Zool. a particular pose adopted by a bird or other animal, interpreted as a signal of a specific pattern of behavior. ∎ fig. a particular way of dealing with or considering something; an approach or attitude: labor unions adopted a more militant posture in wage negotiations. ∎ fig. a particular way of behaving that is intended to convey a false impression; a pose: despite pulling back its missiles, the government maintained a defiant posture for home consumption. • v. 1. [intr.] [often as n.] (posturing) behave in a way that is intended to impress or mislead others: a masking of fear with macho posturing. ∎  [tr.] adopt (a certain attitude) so as to impress or mislead: the companies may posture regret, but they have a vested interest in increasing Third World sales. 2. [tr.] archaic place (someone) in a particular attitude or pose: and still these two were postured motionless. DERIVATIVES: pos·tur·al adj. pos·tur·er n.