n 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
n a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
sculpture is a form of art
n a perceptual structure
the composition presents problems for students of musical form
n any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
n alternative names for the body of a human being
n the spatial arrangement of something as distinct from its substance
n the visual appearance of something or someone
n a printed document with spaces in which to write
he filled out his tax form
n (biology) a group of organisms within a species that differ in trivial ways from similar groups
n 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
n a particular mode in which something is manifested
his resentment took the form of extreme hostility
n (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
n a body of students who are taught together
n an ability to perform well
he was at the top of his form the team was off form last night
n a life-size dummy used to display clothes
n a mold for setting concrete
they built elaborate forms for pouring the foundation
v create (as an entity)
social groups form everywhere They formed a company
v to compose or represent:"This wall forms the background of the stage setting"
v develop into a distinctive entity
v give shape or form to
form the young child's character
v make something, usually for a specific function
v establish or impress firmly in the mind
v assume a form or shape
the water formed little beads
n (biology) an artificial taxonomic category for organisms of which the true relationships are obscure
n an artificial taxonomic category established on the basis of morphological resemblance for organisms of obscure true relationships especially fossil forms