Fashion plate

Fashion Fash"ion, n. [OE. fasoun, facioun, shape, manner, F. facon, orig., a making, fr. L. factio a making, fr. facere to make. See {Fact}, {Feat}, and cf. {Faction}.] [1913 Webster] 1. The make or form of anything; the style, shape, appearance, or mode of structure; pattern, model; as, the fashion of the ark, of a coat, of a house, of an altar, etc.; workmanship; execution. [1913 Webster]

The fashion of his countenance was altered. --Luke ix. 29. [1913 Webster]

I do not like the fashion of your garments. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. The prevailing mode or style, especially of dress; custom or conventional usage in respect of dress, behavior, etiquette, etc.; particularly, the mode or style usual among persons of good breeding; as, to dress, dance, sing, ride, etc., in the fashion. [1913 Webster]

The innocent diversions in fashion. --Locke. [1913 Webster]

As now existing, fashion is a form of social regulation analogous to constitutional government as a form of political regulation. --H. Spencer. [1913 Webster]

3. Polite, fashionable, or genteel life; social position; good breeding; as, men of fashion. [1913 Webster]

4. Mode of action; method of conduct; manner; custom; sort; way. ``After his sour fashion.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]

{After a fashion}, to a certain extent; of a sort; sort of.

{Fashion piece} (Naut.), one of the timbers which terminate the transom, and define the shape of the stern.

{Fashion plate}, a pictorial design showing the prevailing style or a new style of dress. [1913 Webster]