1.NounAny agent that shapes (something), whether literally or figuratively.
"one's birth is a shaper of one's fortunes"
2.NounA person who designs and builds surfboards.
3.NounA machine tool in which a single-point cutting tool mounted on a reciprocating ram is traversed across the workpiece linearly. Shapers can generate various shapes, but were most especially employed in generating flat surfaces and keyways. The shaper is nowadays obsolescent, most of its applications being served by milling machines.