Crossword clues for formality
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Formality \For*mal"i*ty\, n.; pl. Formalities. [Cf. F. formalit['e].]
The condition or quality of being formal, strictly ceremonious, precise, etc.
-
Form without substance.
Such [books] as are mere pieces of formality, so that if you look on them, you look though them.
--Fuller. -
Compliance with formal or conventional rules; ceremony; conventionality.
Nor was his attendance on divine offices a matter of formality and custom, but of conscience.
--Atterbury. -
An established order; conventional rule of procedure; usual method; habitual mode.
He was installed with all the usual formalities.
--C. Middleton. -
pl. The dress prescribed for any body of men, academical, municipal, or sacerdotal. [Obs.]
The doctors attending her in their formalities as far as Shotover.
--Fuller. -
That which is formal; the formal part.
It unties the inward knot of marriage, . . . while it aims to keep fast the outward formality.
--Milton. -
The quality which makes a thing what it is; essence.
The material part of the evil came from our father upon us, but the formality of it, the sting and the curse, is only by ourselves.
--Jer. Taylor.The formality of the vow lies in the promise made to God.
--Bp. Stillingfleet. (Scholastic. Philos.) The manner in which a thing is conceived or constituted by an act of human thinking; the result of such an act; as, animality and rationality are formalities.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1530s, "agreement as to form," from formal + -ity or else from Middle French formalité (15c.) or Latin formitalitatem. Sense of "conformity to established rule" is from 1590s; meaning "something done for the sake of form" is from 1640s. Related: Formalities.
Wiktionary
n. 1 (context uncountable English) The state of being formal. 2 Something said or done as a matter of form. 3 A customary ritual without new or unique meaning. 4 A specific requirement for obtaining a legal status, conducting a transaction, etc.
WordNet
n. a requirement of etiquette or custom [syn: formalities]
a manner that strictly observes all forms and ceremonies [syn: formalness] [ant: informality]
compliance with formal rules
Wikipedia
A formality is an established procedure or set of specific behaviors and utterances, conceptually similar to a ritual although typically secular and less involved. A formality may be as simple as a handshake upon making new acquaintances in Western culture to the carefully defined procedure of bows, handshakes, formal greetings, and business card exchanges that may mark two businessmen being introduced in Japan. In legal and diplomatic circles, formalities include such matters as greeting an arriving head of state with the appropriate national anthem.
Cultures and groups within cultures often have varying degrees of formality which can often prove a source of frustration or unintentional insult when people of different expectations or preferences interact. Those from relatively informal backgrounds may find formality to be empty and hypocritical, or unnecessarily demanding. Those from relatively formal backgrounds may find informal cultures hard to deal with, as their carefully refined and nuanced behaviors go completely unnoticed.
The difference between formality and politeness is often a point of confusion for those from relatively informal cultures. On the other hand, those who have been brought up in relatively formal circumstances often experience discomfort and even, over the long term, disenchantment, in less formal circumstances.
Usage examples of "formality".
After the usual formalities they told him that the Algerine pirates had so far raided Marsala and Mazara at the western end of the island of Sicily, and appeared to be making their way eastward.
There are in the modern world an admirable class of persons who really make protest on behalf of that antiqua pulchritudo of which Augustine spoke, who do long for the old feasts and formalities of the childhood of the world.
After the proper formalities, the Razers escorted Ardoise from the room.
When the reader came to the allusions to secret arrests, protracted imprisonments, and the tedious formalities of the law and lawyers, he declared that it would be necessary to pull down the Bastile before it could be acted with safety, as Beaumarchais was ridiculing every thing which ought to be respected.
If the new queens had been set loose without formality, the bees would have balled them at once because of their protectiveness towards the queen they already had.
The formality gave Joe a laugh, as did the fact that Weston had at last managed to tear Kelford away from the billiard table.
With dignified formality, the bowls were exchanged, then Mog-ur led the way as the men retreated into the small cave.
Respected Captain Folsom, in uniform but with black bow tie for formality, came to the table and asked Bill if he had a minute.
There was always some formality about the evening meal at The Forks, and the family was expected to dress for dinner, whether or not they had visitors, which they often did.
Such formalities were dispensed with at Auschwitz when the massive gassings began.
I am making Gemellus my second heir in case you die before him, but this is only a formality.
Formalities, as Lincoln confided to Tad, take a great deal of time and patience.
It would seem natural to allow a foreigner to send his personal luggage from one Treaty Port to another without going through a number of formalities which render it nearly impossible, but it was only managed by Ito sending mine in his own name to a Japanese at Hakodate with whom he is slightly acquainted.
Mariko translated with equal formality, then Kiku let out a peal of laughter.
Avril likes to see them outside the awkward formality of her position at E.