Collins English-English Dictionary

form [fɔːm]

1. 1. n the shape or configuration of something as distinct from its colour, texture, etc

2. 2. n the particular mode, appearance, etc, in which a thing or person manifests itself

   water in the form of ice

   in the form of a bat

3. 3. n a type or kind

   imprisonment is a form of punishment

4. 4. n a printed document, esp one with spaces in which to insert facts or answers

   an application form

5. 5. n (as modifier)

   a form letter

6. 6. n physical or mental condition, esp good condition, with reference to ability to perform

   off form

7. 7. n the previous record of a horse, athlete, etc, esp with regard to fitness

8. 8. n [Brit] [slang] a criminal record

9. 9. n style, arrangement, or design in the arts, as opposed to content

10. 10. n a fixed mode of artistic expression or representation in literary, musical, or other artistic works

    sonata form

    sonnet form

11. 11. n a mould, frame, etc, that gives shape to something

12. 12. n organized structure or order, as in an artistic work

13. 13. n [education] [chiefly Brit] a group of children who are taught together; class

14. 14. n manner, method, or style of doing something, esp with regard to recognized standards

15. 15. n behaviour or procedure, esp as governed by custom or etiquette

    good form

16. 16. n formality or ceremony

17. 17. n a prescribed set or order of words, terms, etc, as in a religious ceremony or legal document

18. 18. n [philosophy] the structure of anything as opposed to its constitution or content

19. 19. n essence as opposed to matter

20. 20. n [often capital] (in the philosophy of Plato) the ideal universal that exists independently of the particulars which fall under it - See also Form

21. 21. n (in the philosophy of Aristotle) the constitution of matter to form a substance; by virtue of this its nature can be understood

22. 22. n See logical form

23. 23. n [Brit] a bench, esp one that is long, low, and backless

24. 24. n the nest or hollow in which a hare lives

25. 25. n a group of organisms within a species that differ from similar groups by trivial differences, as of colour

26. 26. n [linguistics] the phonological or orthographic shape or appearance of a linguistic element, such as a word

27. 27. n a linguistic element considered from the point of view of its shape or sound rather than, for example, its meaning

28. 28. n See crystal form

29. 29. n [crystallog] [taxonomy] a group distinguished from other groups by a single characteristic: ranked below a variety

30. 30. vb to give shape or form to or to take shape or form, esp a specified or particular shape

31. 31. vb to come or bring into existence

    a scum formed on the surface

32. 32. vb to make, produce, or construct or be made, produced, or constructed

33. 33. vb to construct or develop in the mind

    to form an opinion

34. 34. vt. [tr] to train, develop, or mould by instruction, discipline, or example

35. 35. vt. [tr] to acquire, contract, or develop

    to form a habit

36. 36. vt. [tr] to be an element of, serve as, or constitute

    this plank will form a bridge

37. 37. vt. [tr] to draw up; organize

    to form a club

38. 38. vt. [Etymology] C13: from Old French forme, from Latin forma shape, model