The Collaborative International Dictionary
Form \Form\ (f[=o]rm; in senses 8 & 9, often f[=o]rm in England), n. [OE. & F. forme, fr. L. forma; cf. Skr. dhariman. Cf. Firm.]
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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. Constitution; mode of construction, organization, etc.; system; as, a republican form of government.
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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. -
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. -
Orderly arrangement; shapeliness; also, comeliness; elegance; beauty.
The earth was without form and void.
--Gen. i. 2.He hath no form nor comeliness.
--Is. liii. 2. A shape; an image; a phantom.
That by which shape is given or determined; mold; pattern; model.
A long seat; a bench; hence, a rank of students in a school; a class; also, a class or rank in society. ``Ladies of a high form.''
--Bp. Burnet.-
The seat or bed of a hare.
As in a form sitteth a weary hare.
--Chaucer. (Print.) The type or other matter from which an impression is to be taken, arranged and secured in a chase.
(Fine Arts) The boundary line of a material object. In (painting), more generally, the human body.
(Gram.) The particular shape or structure of a word or part of speech; as, participial forms; verbal forms.
(Crystallog.) The combination of planes included under a general crystallographic symbol. It is not necessarily a closed solid.
(Metaph.) That assemblage or disposition of qualities which makes a conception, or that internal constitution which makes an existing thing to be what it is; -- called essential or substantial form, and contradistinguished from matter; hence, active or formative nature; law of being or activity; subjectively viewed, an idea; objectively, a law.
Mode of acting or manifestation to the senses, or the intellect; as, water assumes the form of ice or snow. In modern usage, the elements of a conception furnished by the mind's own activity, as contrasted with its object or condition, which is called the matter; subjectively, a mode of apprehension or belief conceived as dependent on the constitution of the mind; objectively, universal and necessary accompaniments or elements of every object known or thought of.
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(Biol.) The peculiar characteristics of an organism as a type of others; also, the structure of the parts of an animal or plant.
Good form or Bad form, the general appearance, condition or action, originally of horses, afterwards of persons; as, the members of a boat crew are said to be in good form when they pull together uniformly. The phrases are further used colloquially in description of conduct or manners in society; as, it is not good form to smoke in the presence of a lady.
Wiktionary
n. (context idiomatic English) Behaviour which is contrary to social expectations, which is inappropriate or rude.
Usage examples of "bad form".
No use taking offense if his question was an innocent one, though in bad form.
He instinctively felt that in this respect it would be troublesome--and also rather bad form--to strike out for himself.
That is bad form, and requires the conventional remedy: an inquiry to whitewash the atrocity, a tap on the wrist for the authorities, mild punishment of subordinates, and applause from the rich men's club over this impressive proof that our moderate client is making still further progress.
It was very bad form to impose one's will upon any other sentient, but most especially this species.
Murrett, who didn't recognize my old turned and dyed rags, and told me afterward it was awfully bad form to dress as if I were somebody that people would expect to know!
To do otherwise was deemed not only appallingly bad form but altogether impractical.
It was standard in well-armed research ships (and all research ships were well-armed) to fit discreet precautions against their being misappropriated, but it was also considered bad form to discuss these.
But somebody did have to look after the crew as a whole, and anyway Conrad felt it was bad form for a first officer to go to sleep while there was still work being done.
Interrupting at a parley was probably bad form, but she didn’.
Surely this was the height of bad form--to drop a guest unprepared into such a situation.