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(-frm). [See Form, n.] A suffix used to denote in the form or shape of, resembling, etc.; as, valiform; oviform. Form (frm; in senses 8 & 9, often frm 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. The form of his visage was changed. Dan. iii. 19. And woven close close, both matter, form, and style. Milton. 2. Constitution; mode of construction, organization, etc.; system; as, a republican form of government. 3. Established method of expression or practice; fixed way of proceeding; conventional or stated scheme; formula; as, a form of prayer. Those whom form of laws Condemned to die. Dryden. 4. Show without substance; empty, outside appearance; vain, trivial, or conventional ceremony; conventionality; formality; as, a matter of mere form. Though well we may not pass upon his life Without the form of justice. Shak. 5. Orderly arrange Form (frm), v. t.[imp. & p. p.Formed (frmd); p. pr. & vb. n.Forming.] [F. former, L. formare, fr. forma. See Form, n.] 1. To give form or shape to; to frame; to construct; to make; to fashion. God formed man of the dust of the ground. Gen. ii. 7. The thought that labors in my forming brain. Rowe. 2. To give a particular shape to; to shape, mold, or fashion into a certain state or condition; to arrange; to adjust; also, to model by instruction and discipline; to mold by influence, etc.; to train. 'T is education forms the common mind. Pope. Thus formed for speed, he challenges the wind. Dryden. 3. To go to make up; to act as constituent of; to be the essential or constitutive elements of; to answer for; to make the shape of; -- said of that out of which anything is formed or constituted, in whole or in part. The diplomatic politicians . . . who formed by far the majority. Burke. 4. To provide with a form, as a hare. See Form, n., 9. The melancholy hare is formed in brak Form v. i. 1. To take a form, definite shape, or arrangement; as, the infantry should form in column. 2. To run to a form, as a hare. B. Jonson. To form on (Mil.), to form a lengthened line with reference to (any given object) as a basis. Form v. t.(Elec.) To treat (plates) so as to bring them to fit condition for introduction into a storage battery, causing one plate to be composed more or less of spongy lead, and the other of lead peroxide. This was formerly done by repeated slow alternations of the charging current, but now the plates or grids are coated or filled, one with a paste of red lead and the other with litharge, introduced into the cell, and formed by a direct charging current. スポンサード リンク
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