form
n 1: the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a
word; "the inflected forms of a word can be represented
by a stem and a list of inflections to be attached"
[syn: {word form}]
2: a category of things distinguished by some common
characteristic or quality; "sculpture is a form of art";
"what kinds of desserts are there?" [syn: {kind}, {sort},
{variety}]
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"
[syn: {shape}, {pattern}]
4: any spatial attribute (especially as defined by outline);
"he could barely make out their shapes through the smoke"
[syn: {shape}, {configuration}, {contour}]
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" [syn: {human body},
{physical body}, {material body}, {soma}, {build}, {figure},
{physique}, {anatomy}, {shape}, {bod}, {chassis}, {frame},
{flesh}]
6: the spatial arrangement of something as distinct from its
substance; "geometry is the mathematical science of shape"
[syn: {shape}]
7: the visual appearance of something or someone; "the delicate
cast of his features" [syn: {shape}, {cast}]
8: a printed document with spaces in which to write; "he filled
out his tax form"
9: (biology) a group of organisms within a species that differ
in trivial ways from similar groups; "a new strain of
microorganisms" [syn: {variant}, {strain}, {var.}]
10: an arrangement of the elements in a composition or
discourse; "the essay was in the form of a dialogue"; "he
first skethes the plot in outline form"
11: a particular mode in which something is manifested; "his
resentment took the form of extreme hostility"
12: a body of students who are taught together; "early morning
classes are always sleepy" [syn: {class}, {grade}]
13: an ability to perform well; "he was at the top of his form";
"the team was off form last night"
14: a life-size dummy used to display clothes [syn: {mannequin},
{manikin}, {mannikin}, {manakin}]
15: a mold for setting concrete; "they built elaborate forms for
pouring the foundation"
v 1: create, as of a social group or a company, for example [syn:
{organize}]
2: to compose or represent:"This wall forms the background of
the stage setting"; "The branches made a roof"; "This
makes a fine introduction" [syn: {constitute}, {make}]
3: develop into a distinctive entity; "our plans began to take
shape" [syn: {take form}, {take shape}, {spring}]
4: cause to shape or form; "shape a bun"; "shape a ball from
the dough" [syn: {shape}]
5: make something, usually for a specific function; "She molded
the riceballs carefully"; "Form the dough into cylinders"
[syn: {shape}, {mold}, {mould}, {forge}]
6: establish or impress firmly in the mind; "We imprint our
ideas onto our children" [syn: {imprint}]
7: give shape to; "form the clay into a head" [ant: {deform}]