I. ˈfȯrm noun
Etymology: Middle English forme, from Anglo-French furme, forme, from Latin forma form, beauty
Date: 13th century
1.
a. : the shape and structure of something as distinguished from its material
b. : a body (as of a person) especially in its external appearance or as distinguished from the face : figure
c. archaic : beauty
2. : the essential nature of a thing as distinguished from its matter: as
a. : idea 1a
b. : the component of a thing that determines its kind
3.
a. : established method of expression or proceeding : procedure according to rule or rote ; also : a standard or expectation based on past experience : precedent
true to form , the champions won again
b. : a prescribed and set order of words : formula
the form of the marriage service
4. : a printed or typed document with blank spaces for insertion of required or requested information
tax form s
5.
a.
(1) : conduct regulated by extraneous controls (as of custom or etiquette) : ceremony
(2) : show without substance
b. : manner or conduct as tested by a prescribed or accepted standard
rudeness is simply bad form
c. : manner or style of performing or accomplishing according to recognized standards of technique
a strong swimmer but weak on form
6.
a. : the resting place or nest of a hare
b. : a long seat : bench
7.
a. : a supporting frame model of the human figure or part (as the torso) of the human figure usually used for displaying apparel
b. : a proportioned and often adjustable model for fitting clothes
c. : a mold in which concrete is placed to set
8. : the printing type or other matter arranged and secured in a chase ready for printing
9.
a. : one of the different modes of existence, action, or manifestation of a particular thing or substance : kind
one form of respiratory disorder
a form of art
b. : a distinguishable group of organisms
c. : linguistic form
d. : one of the different aspects a word may take as a result of inflection or change of spelling or pronunciation
verbal form s
e. : a mathematical expression of a particular type
a bilinear form
a polynomial form
10.
a.
(1) : orderly method of arrangement (as in the presentation of ideas) : manner of coordinating elements (as of an artistic production or course of reasoning)
(2) : a particular kind or instance of such arrangement
the sonnet is a poetical form
b. : pattern , schema
arguments of the same logical form
c. : the structural element, plan, or design of a work of art — compare content 2c
d. : a visible and measurable unit defined by a contour : a bounded surface or volume
11. : a grade in a British school or in some American private schools
12.
a.
(1) : the past performance of a race horse
(2) : racing form
b. : known ability to perform
a singer at the top of her form
c. : condition suitable for performing (as in athletic competition)
back on form
II. verb
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to give a particular shape to : shape or mold into a certain state or after a particular model
form the dough into a ball
a state form ed along republican lines
b. : to arrange themselves in
the dancers form ed a line
c. : to model by instruction and discipline
a mind form ed by classical education
2. : to give form or shape to : fashion , construct
3. : to serve to make up or constitute : be an essential or basic element of
4. : develop , acquire
form a habit
5. : to arrange in order : draw up
6.
a. : to assume an inflection so as to produce (as a tense)
form s the past in -ed
b. : to combine to make (a compound word)
intransitive verb
1. : to become formed or shaped
2. : to take form : come into existence : arise
3. : to take on a definite form, shape, or arrangement
• form·abil·i·ty ˌfȯr-mə-ˈbi-lə-tē noun
• form·able ˈfȯr-mə-bəl adjective
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- form on