- Form
- Form Form (f[=o]rm; in senses 8 & 9, often f[=o]rm in
England), n. [OE. & F. forme, fr. L. forma; cf. Skr.
dhariman. Cf. {Firm}.]
1. The shape and structure of anything, as distinguished from
the material of which it is composed; particular
disposition or arrangement of matter, giving it
individuality or distinctive character; configuration;
figure; external appearance.
[1913 Webster]
The form of his visage was changed. --Dan. iii. 19. [1913 Webster]
And woven close close, both matter, form, and style. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
2. Constitution; mode of construction, organization, etc.; system; as, a republican form of government. [1913 Webster]
3. Established method of expression or practice; fixed way of proceeding; conventional or stated scheme; formula; as, a form of prayer. [1913 Webster]
Those whom form of laws Condemned to die. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
4. Show without substance; empty, outside appearance; vain, trivial, or conventional ceremony; conventionality; formality; as, a matter of mere form. [1913 Webster]
Though well we may not pass upon his life Without the form of justice. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
5. Orderly arrangement; shapeliness; also, comeliness; elegance; beauty. [1913 Webster]
The earth was without form and void. --Gen. i. 2. [1913 Webster]
He hath no form nor comeliness. --Is. liii. 2. [1913 Webster]
6. A shape; an image; a phantom. [1913 Webster]
7. That by which shape is given or determined; mold; pattern; model. [1913 Webster]
8. A long seat; a bench; hence, a rank of students in a school; a class; also, a class or rank in society. ``Ladies of a high form.'' --Bp. Burnet. [1913 Webster]
9. The seat or bed of a hare. [1913 Webster]
As in a form sitteth a weary hare. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
10. (Print.) The type or other matter from which an impression is to be taken, arranged and secured in a chase. [1913 Webster]
11. (Fine Arts) The boundary line of a material object. In (painting), more generally, the human body. [1913 Webster]
12. (Gram.) The particular shape or structure of a word or part of speech; as, participial forms; verbal forms. [1913 Webster]
13. (Crystallog.) The combination of planes included under a general crystallographic symbol. It is not necessarily a closed solid. [1913 Webster]
14. (Metaph.) That assemblage or disposition of qualities which makes a conception, or that internal constitution which makes an existing thing to be what it is; -- called essential or substantial form, and contradistinguished from matter; hence, active or formative nature; law of being or activity; subjectively viewed, an idea; objectively, a law. [1913 Webster]
15. Mode of acting or manifestation to the senses, or the intellect; as, water assumes the form of ice or snow. In modern usage, the elements of a conception furnished by the mind's own activity, as contrasted with its object or condition, which is called the matter; subjectively, a mode of apprehension or belief conceived as dependent on the constitution of the mind; objectively, universal and necessary accompaniments or elements of every object known or thought of. [1913 Webster]
16. (Biol.) The peculiar characteristics of an organism as a type of others; also, the structure of the parts of an animal or plant. [1913 Webster]
{Good form} or {Bad form}, the general appearance, condition or action, originally of horses, afterwards of persons; as, the members of a boat crew are said to be in good form when they pull together uniformly. The phrases are further used colloquially in description of conduct or manners in society; as, it is not good form to smoke in the presence of a lady. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
