Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - posture

 I. noun  Etymology: Middle French, from Italian postura, from Latin positura, from positus, past participle of ponere to place — more at position  Date: circa 1586  1.  a. the position or bearing of the body whether characteristic or assumed for a special purpose erect ~  b. the pose of a model or artistic figure  2. state or condition at a given time especially with respect to capability in particular circumstances maintain a competitive ~ in the market  3. a conscious mental or outward behavioral attitude  II. verb  (~d; posturing)  Date: circa 1645  transitive verb to cause to assume a given ~ ; pose  intransitive verb  1. to assume a ~; especially to strike a pose for effect  2. to assume an artificial or pretended attitude ; attitudinize  • ~r noun