Shape component

Definition
Shape Component is a component in the grammar proposed in the work of Arnold Zwicky. This component contains the lexicon, together with separate sets of inflectional rules and derivational rules. Moreover, this component houses the Shape Conditions which govern the selection of different allomorphs postlexically, that is, in the syntax.

Example
The distribution of the English a/an allomorphs (a book vs. an apple) is handled by a Shape Condition.

Links
Utrecht Lexicon of Linguistics