1. (noun) form, word form, signifier, descriptor
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. (noun) kind, sort, form, variety
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
"sculpture is a form of art"; "what kinds of desserts are there?"
3. (noun) form, shape, pattern
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. (noun) shape, form, configuration, contour, conformation
any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
"he could barely make out their shapes"
5. (noun) human body, physical body, material body, soma, build, figure, physique, anatomy, shape, bod, chassis, frame, form, flesh
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. (noun) shape, form
the spatial arrangement of something as distinct from its substance
"geometry is the mathematical science of shape"
7. (noun) form, shape, cast
the visual appearance of something or someone
"the delicate cast of his features"
8. (noun) form
a printed document with spaces in which to write
"he filled out his tax form"
9. (noun) form, variant, strain, var.
(biology) a group of organisms within a species that differ in trivial ways from similar groups
"a new strain of microorganisms"
10. (noun) form
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"
11. (noun) form
a particular mode in which something is manifested
"his resentment took the form of extreme hostility"
12. (noun) phase, form
(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"
13. (noun) class, form, grade, course
a body of students who are taught together
"early morning classes are always sleepy"
14. (noun) form
an ability to perform well
"he was at the top of his form"; "the team was off form last night"
15. (noun) mannequin, manikin, mannikin, manakin, form
a life-size dummy used to display clothes
16. (verb) form
a mold for setting concrete
"they built elaborate forms for pouring the foundation"
17. (verb) form, organize, organise
create (as an entity)
"social groups form everywhere"; "They formed a company"
18. (verb) form, constitute, make
to compose or represent:"This wall forms the background of the stage setting"
"The branches made a roof"; "This makes a fine introduction"
19. (verb) form, take form, take shape, spring
develop into a distinctive entity
"our plans began to take shape"
20. (verb) shape, form
give shape or form to
"shape the dough"; "form the young child's character"
21. (verb) shape, form, work, mold, mould, forge
make something, usually for a specific function
"She molded the rice balls carefully"; "Form cylinders from the dough"; "shape a figure"; "Work the metal into a sword"
22. (verb) imprint, form
establish or impress firmly in the mind
"We imprint our ideas onto our children"
23. (verb) form
assume a form or shape
"the water formed little beads"
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Definition of 'form' 
