FORMAL

I. adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Latin ~is, from forma Date: 14th century 1. belonging to or constituting the form or essence of a thing , relating to or involving the outward form, structure, relationships, or arrangement of elements rather than content , 2. following or according with established form, custom, or rule , done in due or lawful form , 3. characterized by punctilious respect for form ; methodical , rigidly ceremonious ; prim , having the appearance without the substance , see: ceremonial ~ly adverb ~ness noun II. noun Date: 1605 something (as a dance or a dress) ~ in character, III. adjective Etymology: formula + 1-al Date: circa 1934 molar III