Formal

a. and sb. [a. L. formālis, f. forma FORM sb.: see -AL. Cf. F. formel.]

  A.  adj.

  1.  Of or pertaining to FORM, in various senses. a. Metaph. Pertaining to the form or constitutive essence of a thing; essential. Opposed to material. So formal cause see CAUSE sb. 5).

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Melib., ¶ 433. The cause material been the fyve woundes of thy doghter. The cause formal is the manere of hir werkinge, that broghten laddres and cloumben in at thy windowes.

c. 1430.  Art of Nombrynge (E.E.T.S.), 1. Sothely .2. manere of nombres ben notifiede; Materialle, as nombre is vnitees gadrede to gadres; Formalle, as nombre is a colleccione of vnitees.

1447.  Bokenham, Seyntys, Introd. (Roxb.), 1.

1587.  Golding, De Mornay, ii. (1617), 25. They be good, as in respect of their bare being: and euill, as in respect that they forgoe their formal being that is to say their goodnesse.

1628.  T. Spencer, Logick, 55. Man is … fit to loue the knowne good … this fitnes floweth from his reasonable soule or formall being.

1669.  Holder, Elem. Speech, 22. Of Letters the Material part is Breath and Voice; the Formal is constituted by the Motions and Figure of the Organs of Speech affecting Breath with a peculiar sound, by which each Letter is discriminated.

a. 1703.  Burkitt, On N. T., Luke xii. 32. The good Will and gracious Pleasure of God is the original Spring, and formal Cause, from whence all divine Favours do proceed and flow.

a. 1716.  South, Serm. (1744), X. 37. For deceit is the formal, constituent reason of hypocrisy.

1814.  Cary, Dante, Paradise, II. 70.

1827.  Whately, Logic, II. v. § 3. Whatever term can be affirmed of several things, must express either their whole essence, which is call the Species; or a part of their essence (viz. either the material part, which is called the Genus, or the formal and distinguishing part, which is called Differentia, or in common discourse, characteristic).

  † b.  Pertaining to the specific form of an animal or plant. Of a seed or germ: Endowed with a principle of form. Obs.

c. 1400.  Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 21. Þe foormal vertu which almyȝty god haþ ȝeue to þe maris ordeyneþ & diuidid euery partie of þese spermes in her kynde, til þat þe child be born.

1605.  Bacon, Adv. Learn., II. iv. § 5. 19. In this third part of learning, which is poesy, I can report no deficience. For being as a plant that cometh of the lust of the earth, without a formal seed, it hath sprung up and spread abroad more than any other kind.

1677.  Hale, Prim. Orig. Man., III. vi. 277. Although it be admitted that Insects and spontaneé orta, do or may arise from a Semen or Principle that is not univocal or formal.

  c.  Pertaining to the outward form, shape, or appearance (of a material object); also, in immaterial sense, pertaining to the form, arrangement, external qualities (e.g., of a work of art, a composition, etc.). † Also, occas. of knowledge: Theoretical as opposed to practical.

1639.  Evelyn, Diary (1827) I. 15. I began to look on the rudiments of musick, in which I afterwards arriv’d to some formal knowledge, though to small perfection of hand, because I was so frequently diverted by inclinations to newer trifles.

1655.  G. S., in Hartlib, Ref. Commw. Bees, 27. Honey … out of which they [the Bees] doe separate a more fat substance, which they also transmute into Wax, with a formal transmutation.

1837.  Whewell, Hist. Induct. Sc. (1857), I. 273. The distinction of formal and physical astronomy thus become necessary, in order to treat clearly of the discussions which the propounding of the Copernican theory occasioned.

a. 1853.  Robertson, Serm., Ser. III. iii. (1872), 39. All living unity is spiritual, not formal; not sameness, but manifoldness.

1860.  Ruskin, Mod. Paint., V. VIII. i. § 2. 158. Invention Formal, otherwise and most commonly called technical composition; that is to say, the arrangement of lines, forms, or colours, so as to produce the best possible effect.

  d.  Logic. Concerned with the form, as distinguished from the matter, of reasoning.

a. 1856.  Sir W. Hamilton, Lect. Logic, xxvii. (1860), II. 64. The knowledge of the form of thought is a formal knowledge, and the harmony of thought with the form of thought, is, consequently, Formal Truth. Ibid., 231, App. 1. The doctrine, therefore, which expounds the laws by which our scientific procedure should be governed, in so far as these lie in the forms of thought, or in the conditions of the mind itself, which is the subject in which knowledge inheres,—this science may be called Formal, or Subjective, or Abstract, or Pure Logic.

1864.  Bowen, Logic, ii. 42. All this, however, is but the elimination of Formal error.

1870.  Jevons, Elem. Logic, vii. 69. It is no part of formal Logic to teach us how to interpret the meanings of sentences as we meet them in writings; this is rather the work of the grammarian and philologist.

  e.  Of or pertaining to customary form or conventionality.

1712.  Pope, 1st. Ep. Miss Blount, 41.

  2.  Characterized by, or regarded according to, its form; that is (so and so) in respect of form. a. Theol. Formal sin: one which is such in the full sense, as including not merely the outward act which is forbidden, but the circumstances which constitute it as sinful, e.g., evil intention. So formal schism, schismatic, etc. Opposed to material sin, etc.

1641.  J. Jackson, True Evang. T., II. 92. Therefore was there a positive Law, with the Jewes … not to seeth the Kid in the mothers milke. Not that there was any direct, or formall sin, in that manner of Cookery.

1656.  Bramhall, Replic., i. 66. Cannot God pardon formall, much more materiall Schism, and convert a Schismatick at the last gasp, if it please him? Ibid., ix. 341. They who separate actually without just cause, may doe it out of invincible ignorance, and consequently they are not formall but only materiall Schismaticks.

  † b.  That is such in essence; strictly so called, essential. Obs.

1691.  Ray, Creation, II. (1704), 289. The bottom of the Eye, where the formal Organ of Vision is situate.

  † c.  That is such merely in outward form or appearance. Obs.

1581.  Sidney, Apol. Poetrie (Arb.), 35. Esops tales giue good proofe: whose pretty Allegories, stealing vnder the formall tales of Beastes, make many, more beastly then Beasts, begin to heare the sound of vertue from these dumbe speakers.

1633.  Henry Montagu, Earl of Manchester, Manchester al Mondo (1636), 155. Formall penitents will easily part with so much of their sinne as may abate nothing of their profit.

1634.  Canne, Necess. Separ. (1849), 230–1. The formal Protestants in England have done the like against the Reformists, and they now use the like colour against us.

1737.  H. Bracken, Farriery Impr. (1756), I. 286. It is a Kind of formal Leprosy which often begins in the Neck, Mane or Tail, and causes the Horse to be ever rubbing or scrubbing.

  † d.  Of quoted statements: Exact with regard to form. Obs.

1563.  Foxe, A. & M., 708/1. What were the formall wordes, or at the least-wise in substance that I the sayde Bishop then vttered.

  3.  That is according to recognized forms, or to the rules of art or law. Formerly occas. const. † to.

1393.  Gower, Conf., III. 89.

c. 1425.  Wyntoun, Cron., IX. Prol. 56.

1526.  Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 168. The fourth condicyon of y^e prayer of y^e clene hert is, that it must be formall: that is to saye, it must be formed and ordred after the order of charite.

1529.  More, Dial. Touchyng Pest. Sect Luther, C ij b. A sylogysme & resonynge, almoste as formall as is the argumente.

1597.  Morley, Introd. Mus., 74. It followeth to speake of a formal closing without a discord or Cadence.

1605.  Daniel, Trag. Philotas, IV. ii., Wks. (1718), 358.

1622.  Malynes, Anc. Law-Merch., 394. You may not say in the Bill, It may please you to pay … and most men will not vse the words (Make him good Payment) but the fewer words the more formall.

1722.  De Foe, Col. Jack (1840), 235. He was master of no one place in the country, that could have held out a formal siege of fifteen days.

1749.  Fielding, Tom Jones, VI. vii. (heading). A picture of formal courtship in miniature, as it always ought to be drawn.

  † b.  Made in proper form, regular, complete. Also in familiar use, ‘regular,’ unmistakable. Obs.

1635.  Earl Strafforde, Lett. (1739), I. 410. An Indisposition which hath hindred me from writing a Line almost this Fortnight, in plain Terms, my good Lord, a formal Fit of the Gout.

1673.  Evelyn, Mem. (1857), I. 89. We went after dinner to see the formal and formidable camp on Blackheath, raised to invade Holland, or, as others suspected, for another designe.

1684.  Lond. Gaz., No. 1953/1. Though the Lower Town has no other defence than a single Wall, yet his Highness found it convenient to make formal approaches to it.

1719.  De Foe, Crusoe, I. 247. As there was a Door or Entrance there into my Cave, I made a formal fram’d Door-case, and a Door to it of Boards.

  † c.  Of a story, etc.: Elaborately constructed, circumstantial. Obs.

1592.  Warner, Alb. Eng., VII. xxxv. (1612), 168.

1662.  More, Phiios. Writ., Pref. Gen. (1712), 23. Such was that formal story of his casting incense on the Altar of an Idol, being put to his choice whether he would yield to that, or the abuse of his body by an Æthiopian.

1663.  Butler, Hud., I. ii. 41.

1708.  Swift, Sacr. Test, Wks. 1755, II. I. 121. When the earl of Pembroke was in Ireland, and the parliament sitting, a formal story was very gravely carried to his excellency.

  † 4.  a. Regular, having a definite principle, methodical. b. Of feature, stature, etc.: Regular, shapely. c. Normal in intellect, sane. Obs.

  a.  1413.  Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton), I. iii. (1859), 4. The ouermost of the erthe was moost clere, and alwey the clerenesse amenussing dounward by verray formal processe, anone to the Centre, that was veray derke, withoute ony parcel of clereness.

1701.  Rowe, Amb. Step-Moth., V. ii. 2874.

  b.  1525.  Ld. Berners, Froiss., II. clxiv. [clx.] 455. Therle of Foiz, who was a goodly prince and of a formall stature, beare heeded entred into the hall.

1548.  Hall, Chron., Edw. IV. (an. 3), 194 b. She was a woman more of formal countenaunce, then of excellent beautie, but yet of such beautie and favor that [etc.].

1576.  A. Fleming, A Panoplie of Epistles, 377. Euery ioynte and limme, both in measure and in place, verie formall, and passing hansome.

  c.  1590.  Shaks., Com. Err., V. i. 104.

  5.  Done or made with the forms recognized as ensuring validity; explicit and definite, as opposed to what is matter of tacit understanding.

1547.  Boorde, Brev. Health, Preamble. Yf he haue done any wronge, let him make restitucion yf he can, and yf he be in dette, let him loke to it, and make a formal wyl or testament, settyng euery thynge in a dewe order for the welth of his soule.

1560–78.  Bk. Discipl. Ch. Scot. (1621), 21. It hath power to excommunicate the obstinate, formall processe being led, and due intervall of times observed.

1622.  Bacon, Holy War, Misc. Wks. (1629), 127. As there are Formall and written Leagues, Respective to certaine Enemies; So is there a Naturall and Tacite Confederation, amongst all Men against the common Enemy of Humane Society.

1626.  Chas. I., in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. I. III. 249. For Blenuill he hes yet but made his formale demands concerning the Ships.

1771.  Junius Lett., lxii. 321. Nor has there ever been a formal decision against them in any of the superior Courts.

1838.  Thirlwall, Greece, II. xiv. 228. Cleomenes, without waiting for a formal commission, immediately repaired to Ægina, and was proceeding to arrest some of the principal citizens.

1856.  Froude, Hist. Eng. (1858), II. vii. 129. Both the king and the archbishop had disobeyed a formal inhibition.

  ¶ Predicatively of a law: Of unmistakable import, decisive. [A Gallicism.]

1701.  trans. Le Clerc’s Prim. Fathers, 260. It was said against Gregory’s Promotion, that having been Bishop of Sasime and Nazianzum, he could not be transferred to Constantinople, without breaking the Fifteenth Canon of the Council of Nice, which is Formal thereupon.

  6.  Connected with or accompanied by form or ceremony; ceremonial, ‘state.’

1602.  Warner, Alb. Eng., XI. lxvi. 283.

1841.  Elphinstone, Hist. Ind., I. xi. 355. The most general practice on formal occasions is that common in most parts of Asia, of adding the father’s name to that of the son.

1875.  W. S. Hayward, Love agst. World, 3. It will save the squire a formal call.

  † b.  Of apparel: Ceremonial, proper to a dignity or office. Cf. FORMALITY 10. Obs.

1593.  Rites & Mon. Ch. Durh. (Surtees), 43. [Pictures of bps. etc.] most largly and sumptuously sett fourth in there formall apparell.

1656.  Stanley, Hist. Philos., IV. (1701), 136/1. I will not with a formal robe disgrace Myself.

  7.  That is merely matter of form: a. Done or adopted for the sake of form or convention; perfunctory; having the form without the spirit or substance. b. That is matter of routine only, not of substantial import.

  a.  1648.  Milton, Tenure Kings (1650), 45. Not performed by mounting twise into the chair with a formal preachment huddl’d up at the odd hours of a whole lazy week.

1676.  Dryden, Aurengz., II. i.

1720.  Watts, Hymn, ‘Come Holy Spirit.’

  b.  1818.  Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), IV. 256. This doctrine is however confined to that part of the execution of a power in which the confidence and discretion is exercised; and does not extend to mere formal acts.

  8.  Of persons, their manners and actions: Rigorously observant of forms; precise; prim in attire; ceremonious. Chiefly in reproachful use: Unduly precise or ceremonious, stiff.

1514.  Barclay, Cyt. & Uplondyshm. (Percy Soc.), 1.

1594.  Shaks., Rich. III., III. i. 82.

1607–12.  Bacon, Ess., Ceremonies (Arb.), 26. Especially they [Ceremonies] be not to be omitted to Straungers and formall Natures.

1679.  Penn, Addr. Prot., I. vii. (1692), 27. He is reputed Formal, that will not be Rude to Sacred Things.

c. 1689.  Prior, Ode, ‘While Blooming Youth,’ 25.

1693.  Hum. & Conv. Town, 125. Or two or three times a Year, perhaps, the distant Justice of Peace, his formal Spouse, and Daughters, that are in their Bids and Aprons in the Teens?

1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 119, 17 July, ¶ 5. This kind of Good Manners was perhaps carried to an Excess, so as to make Conversation too stiff, formal and precise.

1749.  Chesterf., Lett. (1792), II. cxciii. 220. All morning with thy dry nurse; all the evening in formal fine company; and all day long afraid of old Daddy in England.

1853.  Lytton, My Novel, II. vii. Jackeymo, we have seen, was more familiar with his master than we formal English permit our domestics to be with us.

  9.  Marked by extreme or excessive regularity or symmetry; stiff or rigid in design; wanting in ease or freedom of outline or arrangement.

1597.  Shaks., Lover’s Compl., 29.

1753.  Hogarth, Anal. Beauty, vi. 34. When any part of dress has not the excuse of fitness or propriety for its uniformity of parts, the ladies always call it formal.

1807–8.  W. Irving, Salmagundi (1824), 116.

1873.  Black, Pr. Thule, xxi. 353. Its small windows with formal red curtains.

1874.  L. Stephen, Hours in Library (1892), I. iii. 120. Pope, again, was one of the first, by practice and precept, to break through the old formal school of gardening.

  b.  In immaterial sense: Having a ‘set’ or rigorously methodical aspect or character.

1726.  Shelvocke, Voy. round World (1757), 423. It would, perhaps, be too formal to enter upon a discourse concerning their government.

1846.  McCulloch, Acc. Brit. Empire (1854), II. 367. Formal harangues of this sort are about the least efficient of all the modes in which information can be conveyed to the student.

1865.  Grote, Plato (1875), Preface, p. iv.–v. They form the dramatic manifestation of Hellenic philosophy—as contrasted with the formal and systematising, afterwards prominent in Aristotle.

  B.  sb. In pl. Things that are formal.

1605.  Timme, Quersit., II. iv. 14. Simples may be distinguished into those things which are simple formes, and into those which are simple matters; or into those things which are simply formals, and into those which are simply materials. So bodyes are diuided into materiall bodyes, and into bodyes formall. Those things which are simply formall are astrall and spirituall.

1875.  Whitney, Life Lang., v. 95. The articles, sometimes ranked as a separate part of speech, are likewise altered and faded words: their originals, to be sure, were formal enough; but they are etherealized formals.