n.
Pronunciation: ' fo ̇ r-m ə - ˌ li-z ə m
Function: noun
Date: 1839
1 : the practice or the doctrine of strict adherence to prescribed or external forms (as in religion or art) also : an instance of this
2 : marked attention to arrangement, style, or artistic means (as in art or literature) usually with corresponding de-emphasis of content
– for · mal · ist \ -list \ noun or adjective
– for · mal · is · tic \ ˌ fo ̇ r-m ə - ' lis-tik \ adjective