Form - Definition

n 1: the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a
word that can be used to describe or identify something;
"the inflected forms of a word can be represented by a stem
and a list of inflections to be attached" [syn: form,
word form, signifier, descriptor]
2: a category of things distinguished by some common
characteristic or quality; "sculpture is a form of art";
"what kinds of desserts are there?" [syn: kind, sort,
form, variety]
3: a perceptual structure; "the composition presents problems
for students of musical form"; "a visual pattern must include
not only objects but the spaces between them" [syn: form,
shape, pattern]
4: any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline);
"he could barely make out their shapes" [syn: shape,
form, configuration, contour, conformation]
5: alternative names for the body of a human being; "Leonardo
studied the human body"; "he has a strong physique"; "the
spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" [syn: human body,
physical body, material body, soma, build, figure,
physique, anatomy, shape, bod, chassis, frame,
form, flesh]
6: the spatial arrangement of something as distinct from its
substance; "geometry is the mathematical science of shape"
[syn: shape, form]
7: the visual appearance of something or someone; "the delicate
cast of his features" [syn: form, shape, cast]
8: a printed document with spaces in which to write; "he filled
out his tax form"
9: (biology) a group of organisms within a species that differ
in trivial ways from similar groups; "a new strain of
microorganisms" [syn: form, variant, strain, var.]
10: an arrangement of the elements in a composition or
discourse; "the essay was in the form of a dialogue"; "he
first sketches the plot in outline form"
11: a particular mode in which something is manifested; "his
resentment took the form of extreme hostility"
12: (physical chemistry) a distinct state of matter in a system;
matter that is identical in chemical composition and
physical state and separated from other material by the
phase boundary; "the reaction occurs in the liquid phase of
the system" [syn: phase, form]
13: a body of students who are taught together; "early morning
classes are always sleepy" [syn: class, form, grade,
course]
14: an ability to perform well; "he was at the top of his form";
"the team was off form last night"
15: a life-size dummy used to display clothes [syn: mannequin,
manikin, mannikin, manakin, form]
16: a mold for setting concrete; "they built elaborate forms for
pouring the foundation"
v 1: create (as an entity); "social groups form everywhere";
"They formed a company" [syn: form, organize,
organise]
2: to compose or represent:"This wall forms the background of
the stage setting"; "The branches made a roof"; "This makes a
fine introduction" [syn: form, constitute, make]
3: develop into a distinctive entity; "our plans began to take
shape" [syn: form, take form, take shape, spring]
4: give shape or form to; "shape the dough"; "form the young
child's character" [syn: shape, form]
5: make something, usually for a specific function; "She molded
the rice balls carefully"; "Form cylinders from the dough";
"shape a figure"; "Work the metal into a sword" [syn:
shape, form, work, mold, mould, forge]
6: establish or impress firmly in the mind; "We imprint our
ideas onto our children" [syn: imprint, form]
7: assume a form or shape; "the water formed little beads"