1 Hourglass: Torso and hips are approximately the same width - with waist definition.  Apple: Torso and upper body wider than your hips - with little or no waist definition. You might have weight surrounding your waist.
From a legal point of view, a merger is a legal consolidation of two entities into one entity, whereas an acquisition occurs when one entity takes ownership of another entity's stock, equity interests or assets.
Societal components. Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are transactions in which the ownership of companies, other business organizations or their operating units are transferred or combined. As an aspect of strategic management, M&A can allow enterprises to grow, shrink, and change the nature of their business or competitive position.