Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FORM, n. [L. forma; Fr. forme; Sp. forma, horma; It. forma; Ir. foirm; D. vorm; G. form; Sw. and Dan. form. The root of this word is not certainly known. The primary sense is probably to set, to fix, to fit. The D. vormen, is rendered, to form, to shape, to mold, to confirm; and form may be allied to firm.]

1. The shape or external appearance of a body; the figure, as defined by lines and angles; that manner of being peculiar to each body, which exhibits it to the eye as distinct from every other body. Thus we speak of the form of a circle, the form of a square or triangle, a circular form, the form of the head or of the human body, a handsome form, an ugly form, a frightful form. Matter is the basis or substratum of bodies; form is the particular disposition of matter in each body which distinguishes its appearance from that of every other body. The form of his visage was changed. Dan. iii. After that he appeared in another form to two of them, as they walked. Mark xvi.
2. Manner of arranging particulars; disposition of particular things; as, a form of words or expressions.
3. Model; draught; pattern. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast beard of me. 2 Tim. i.
4. Beauty; elegance; splendor; dignity. He hath no form nor comeliness. Is. liii.
5. Regularity; method; order. This is a rough draught to be reduced to form.
6. External appearance without the essential qualities; empty show. Having the farm of godliness, but denying the power thereat 2 Tim. ii.
7. Stated method; established practice; ritual or prescribed mode; as, the forms of public worship; the forms of judicial proceeding; forms of civility.
8. Ceremony; as, it is a mere matter of form.
9. Determinate shape. The earth was without form, and void. Gen. i.
10. Likeness; image. Who, being in the form of God –. Phil. ii. He took on him the form of a servant. Ibm.
11. Manner; system; as, a form of government; a monarchical or republican form.
12. Manner of arrangement; disposition of component parts; as, the interior form or structure of the flesh or bones, or of other bodies.
13. A long seat; a bench without a back. Watts.
14. In schools, a class; a rank of students. Dryden.
15. The seat or bed of a hare. Prior.
16. A mold; something to give shape, or on which things are fashioned. Encyc.
17. In printing, an assemblage of types, composed and arranged in order, disposed into pages or columns, and inclosed and locked in a chase, to receive an impression.
18. Essential form, is that mode of existence which constitutes a thing what it is, and without which it could not exist. Thus water and light have each its particular form of existence, and the parts of water being decomposed, it ceases to be water. Accidental form is not necessary to the existence of a body. Earth is earth still, whatever may be its color.