fɔ:m n. & v. --n. 1 a a
shape; an
arrangement of parts. b
the outward aspect (esp.
apart from colour) or shape of a
body. 2 a
person or
animal as
visible or
tangible (the
familiar form of the postman). 3 the
mode in
which a
thing exists or manifests
itself (took the form of a book). 4 a
species, kind, or
variety. 5 a a printed
document with blank spaces
for information to be inserted. b a regularly
drawn document. 6
esp.
Brit. a
class in a school. 7 a
customary method;
what is usually
done (common form). 8 a set
order of words; a
formula. 9
behaviour according to a
rule or
custom. 10 (prec. by the)
correct procedure (knows the form). 11 a (of an
athlete,
horse, etc.)
condition of
health and training (is in top form). b Racing details of
previous performances. 12
general state or
disposition (was in
great form). 13 sl. a
criminal record. 14
formality or mere
ceremony. 15 Gram. a
one of the ways in which a
word may be spelt or
pronounced or inflected. b the
external characteristics of words apart from
meaning. 16 arrangement and
style in
literary or
musical composition. 17 Philos. the
essential nature of a species or thing. 18 a long
bench without a
back. 19 esp. US
Printing =
FORME. 20 a hare's lair. 21 =
FORMWORK. --v. 1 tr.
make or
fashion into a
certain shape or form. 2 intr.
take a certain shape; be formed. 3 tr. be the
material of; make up or
constitute (together form a
unit; forms
part of the structure). 4 tr.
train or
instruct. 5 tr.
develop or
establish as a
concept,
institution, or
practice (form an
idea; formed an
alliance; form a habit). 6 tr. (foll. by into)
embody,
organize. 7 tr.
articulate (a word). 8 tr. & intr. (often foll. by up) esp.
Mil.
bring or be
brought into a certain arrangement or
formation. 9 tr.
construct (a
new word) by
derivation,
inflection, etc. øbad form an
offence against current social conventions. form class
Linguistics a class of
linguistic forms with
grammatical or syntactical features in
common. form
criticism textual analysis of the
Bible etc. by
tracing the
history of
its content by forms (e.g. proverbs, myths). form
letter a standardized letter to deal with frequently occurring matters.
good form what complies with current social conventions. in form fit for racing etc.
off form
not playing or performing well. on form playing or performing well.
out of form not fit for racing etc. [ME f. OF forme f. L forma mould, form]