“Forms” is a form of
form
UK /fɔːm/ · US /fɔɹm/ noun, verb
Forms forms forming formed formest formedst formeth forme
- noun The shape or visible structure of a thing or person.
- noun A thing that gives shape to other things as in a mold.
- noun Regularity, beauty, or elegance.
- noun (philosophy) The inherent nature of an object; that which the mind itself contributes as the condition of knowing; that in which the essence of a thing consists.
- noun Characteristics not involving atomic components.
- noun (dated) A long bench with no back.
- noun (fine arts) The boundary line of a material object. In painting, more generally, the human body.
- noun (crystallography) The combination of planes included under a general crystallographic symbol. It is not necessarily a closed solid.
- verb (transitive) To assume (a certain shape or visible structure). “When you kids form a straight line I'll hand out the lollies.”
- verb (transitive) To give (a shape or visible structure) to a thing or person. “Roll out the dough to form a thin sheet.”
- verb (intransitive) To take shape. “When icicles start to form on the eaves you know the roads will be icy.”
- verb To put together or bring into being; assemble. “The socialists did not have enough MPs to form a government.”
- verb (transitive, linguistics) To create (a word) by inflection or derivation. “By adding "-ness", you can form a noun from an adjective.”
- verb (transitive) To constitute, to compose, to make up. “Teenagers form the bulk of extreme traffic offenders.”
- verb To mould or model by instruction or discipline. “Singing in a choir helps to form a child's sociality.”
- verb To provide (a hare) with a form.
Synonyms
figure shape cast cookie cutter mold pattern configuration grade formular makeup f. take form compose transmogrify take shape make up forshape turn beshape word form signifier descriptor kind sort variety contour conformation human body physical body material body
Antonyms
deform distort disfigure misshape wrest buckle contort twist warp writhe
Etymology
From Middle English forme (“shape, figure, manner, bench, frame, seat, condition, agreement, etc.”), borrowed from Old French forme, from Latin fōrma (“shape, figure, image, outline, plan, mold, frame, case, etc., manner, sort, kind, etc.”).
In sense "division grouping school students" (now dated), derived from public school nomenclature later adopted by state schools. It is sometimes said to be from the sense of "bench", where students of certain ages would sit together, though this is disputed, or alternatively from the sense of "established method of expression or practice".
Webster’s 1913
- noun A suffix used to denote in the form or shape of, resembling, etc.; as, valiform; oviform.
- noun 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.
- noun Constitution; mode of construction, organization, etc.; system; as, a republican form of government.
- verb To give form or shape to; to frame; to construct; to make; to fashion.
Etymology [See Form, n.]
Etymology [OE. & F. forme, fr. L. forma; cf. Skr. dhariman. Cf. Firm.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “form”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details