Noun
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"2. a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality;
"sculpture is a form of art""what kinds of desserts are there?"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"4. any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline);
"he could barely make out their shapes through the smoke"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"6. the spatial arrangement of something as distinct from its substance;
"geometry is the mathematical science of shape"7. the visual appearance of something or someone;
"the delicate cast of his features"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"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"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"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
16. a mold for setting concrete;
"they built elaborate forms for pouring the foundation"Verb
1. to compose or represent:"This wall forms the background of the stage setting";
"The branches made a roof""This makes a fine introduction"2. create (as an entity);
"social groups form everywhere""They formed a company"3. develop into a distinctive entity;
"our plans began to take shape"4. give a shape or form to;
"shape the dough"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"6. establish or impress firmly in the mind;
"We imprint our ideas onto our children"7. give shape to;
"form the clay into a head"