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]
|