form (
http://definr.com/form)
n 1: the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a
word; "the inflected forms of a word can be represented
by a stem and a list of inflections to be attached"
[syn:
word form,
signifier]
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,
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:
shape,
pattern]
4: any spatial attribute (especially as defined by outline);
"he could barely make out their shapes through the smoke"
[syn:
shape,
configuration,
contour]
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,
flesh]
6: the spatial arrangement of something as distinct from its
substance; "geometry is the mathematical science of shape"
[syn:
shape]
7: the visual appearance of something or someone; "the delicate
cast of his features" [syn:
shape,
cast]
8: (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]
9: a printed document with spaces in which to write; "he filled
out his tax form"
10: (biology) a group of organisms within a species that differ
in trivial ways from similar groups; "a new strain of
microorganisms" [syn:
variant,
strain,
var.]
11: 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"
12: a particular mode in which something is manifested; "his
resentment took the form of extreme hostility"
13: a body of students who are taught together; "early morning
classes are always sleepy" [syn:
class,
grade]
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]
16: a mold for setting concrete; "they built elaborate forms for
pouring the foundation"
v 1: to compose or represent:"This wall forms the background of
the stage setting"; "The branches made a roof"; "This
makes a fine introduction" [syn:
constitute,
make]
2: create, as of a social group or a company, for example [syn:
organize,
organise]
3: develop into a distinctive entity; "our plans began to take
shape" [syn:
take form,
take shape,
spring]
4: cause to shape or form; "shape a bun"; "shape a ball from
the dough" [syn:
shape]
5: make something, usually for a specific function; "She molded
the riceballs carefully"; "Form cylinders from the dough";
"shape a figure"; "Work the metal into a sword" [syn:
shape,
work,
mold,
mould,
forge]
6: establish or impress firmly in the mind; "We imprint our
ideas onto our children" [syn:
imprint]
7: give shape to; "form the clay into a head" [ant:
deform]