Classifier handshapes indicate the shape features of an entity such as vehicles, flat objects, long thin objects, etc. Alternatively, classifier handshapes copy the shape of a body-part or hands during object manipulation [Morphology - Chapter 5]. The former category is called entity classifiers [Morphology - Section 5.1.1.], whereas the latter two are body-part [Morphology - Section 5.1.2.], and handle classifiers [Morphology - Section 5.1.3.] respectively. Felicitous usage of classifiers requires lexical introduction of the referents as in the sentence below.
h1: gas_station CL:‘general_entity’b car aCL:‘vehicle_move’b
h2: gas_station car CL:‘general_entity’b
‘The car entered the gas station.’