Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FORM, v.t. [L. formo.]

1. To make or cause to exist in a particular manner. And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground. Gen. ii.
2. To shape; to mold or fashion into a particular shape or state; as, to form an image of stone or clay.
3. To plan to scheme; to modify. Dryden.
4. To arrange; to combine in a particular manner; as, to form a line or square of troops.
5. To adjust; to settle. Our differences with the Romanists are thus formed Into an interest. Decay of Piety.
6. To contrive; to invent; as, to form a design or scheme.
7. To make up; to frame; to settle by deductions of reason; as, to form an opinion or judgment; to form an estimate.
8. To mold; to model by instruction and discipline; as, to form the mind to virtuous habits by education.
9. To combine; to unite individuals into a collective body; as, to form a society for missions.
10. To make; to establish. The subscribers are formed by law into a corporation. They have formed regulations for their government.
11. To compile; as, to form a body of laws or customs; to form a digest.
12. To constitute; to make. Duplicity forms no part of his character. These facts form a safe foundation for our conclusions. The senate and house of representatives form the legislative body.
13. In grammar, to make by derivation, or by affixes or prefixes. L. do, in the preterit, forms dedi.
14. To enact; to make; to ordain; as, to form a law or an edict.