formal 
Trn. What is he, Iliondello? 
Bion. Master, a mercatante, or a pedant, 
I know not what ; bnt formal in apparel, 
In gait and countenance surely like a father. 
Slut., T. of the S., iv. 2. 
The Moos'lims are extremely formal and regular in their 
social manners. K. H'. Lane, Modern Egyptians, I. 2">o. 
Formal as she was, still, in her life's experience, she 
had gnashed her teeth against human law. 
Utin-tlmrne, Seven Gable*, \. 
4. Regular or methodical in action. [Kare.] 
The formal stars do travel so 
As we their names and courses know . 
Waller. 
5. Having conformity with the rules of art; 
scholastic; theoretical; also, rhetorical; aca- 
demical; expressed in artificial language. 
Here is taxed the vanity of formal speakers, that study 
more about prefaces and inducements than upon the con- 
elusions and issues of speech. 
Bacon, Advancement of Learning, ii. 314. 
I began to look on the rudiments of musick, in which 1 
afterwards arrived to toroe formal knowledge, though to 
small perfection of hand. Erflyn, Diary, 1889. 
He fayned such a formall excuse that for want of lan- 
guage Captaine Winne vnderstood him not rightly. 
({noted in Capt, John Smith'* Works, I. 22S. 
6. Relating to form merely, not to the sub- 
stance or matter; having the form or appear- 
ance without the substance or essence ; ex- 
ternal; outward: as, a, formal defect; formal 
duty; formal worship. 
Let not our looks put on our purposes ; 
Hut bear it as our Roman actors do, 
With nntir'd spirits anil formal constancy. 
SA*., J. (.'., ii. 1. 
Of formal duty make no more thy boast ; 
Thou disobey'st where it concerns me most. 
Drya'eit, Anreng/.ebe. 
7t. Embodied in a form ; personified. The allu- 
sion in the extract is to the character of the Vice who, 
under many aliases, was an attendant on the Devil in the 
old moralities. See iniquity and met. 
Thus, like the formal Vice, Iniquity, 
I moralise two meanings in one word. 
Shut., ISich. III., ill. 1. 
8t. Pertaining to or regarding the shape and 
appearance of a living being; characteristic; 
proper; sane. 
The consequence is then, thy jealous tits 
Have scar d thy husband from the use of wits. . . . 
Me patient ; for I will not let him stir 
Till I have us'd the approved means I have, 
With wholesome syrups, drugs, and holy prayers, 
To make of him a formal man again. 
Shalr., C. of E., v. 1. 
This is evident to any formal capacity. 
.ilnik., T. X., ii. 5. 
9. Pertaining to form, in sense 8, especially 
in the Aristotelian use, opposed to material; 
essential; express. See phrases below. 10. 
Pertaining to those elements of cognition which 
according to Kant have their origin in the na- 
ture of the mind itself; universal and neces- 
sary . -Formal abstraction. See abstract ion. Formal 
acceptation, the acceptation of a word as representing 
what it signifies. Thus, if we say " Man has three let- 
ters," man is taken in its material acceptation ; but if 
we say "Man is an animal," the acceptation to formal. 
Formal appellation, the mode in which an adjective is 
understood when it forms the predicate of a proposition. 
Formal beatitude, see beatitude. Formal cause, 
in nietaph., that element of a thing which determines 
what sort of a thing it is. Formal correctness, evi- 
dence, heresy, etc. See the nouns. Formal criterion 
Of truth. See criterion. Formal Inclusion, in loo-it; 
express inclusion, such that the including term could 'not 
lie defined without giving a definition of part of the defi- 
nition of the term included. Formal induction, an 
inference having the form of an induction, but differing 
essentially therefrom in being demonstrative ; complete 
induction. Formal law, in loific, an explicit law ; also, 
one which has no exceptions. Formal logic, the theory 
of the relations of different forms of propositions and syl- 
logisms : also (by loose writers) applied to the opinion of 
those who hold that such logic is adequate to represent- 
ing human thought. 
The doctrine 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 in- 
heres, this science may l>e called formal, or subjective, or 
abstract, or pure, logic. Sir W. Hamilton, Logic, App. i. 
Pure or formal Ionic is devoted to thought in general 
and those universal forms and principles of thought which 
hold good everywhere, both in judging of reality and 
weighing possibility, irrespective of any difference in the 
objects. Lotze, Logic (trans., ed. Bosanqnet), Int.. xi. 
Formal mode, a mode which affects the copula of a 
proposition, as possibility, necessity, etc., contradistin- 
guished from a material mode, which is any kind of limita- 
tion or modification of the subject or predicate. Formal 
nature, the essence of a thing, the universal in re. 
Formal object of a facultyt, the adequate object ; the 
object expressed with sufficient generality to include every 
special object and nothing else. Thus, color is said to be 
the formal object of sight; but blue or red a material oh- 
ject. Formal object of a science, the adequate object, 
as considered by the science ; that which includes all that 
the science treats anil nothing else. Formal opposi- 
tion, an opposition between two propositions which ap- 
pear to directly conflict, apart from any explanation of 
147 
2337 
thc meanings of the terms : as, No A is I'.; All A is It. 
Formal part, in '".'<' tin- genus or specific difference 
considered as part of the species. -Formal repug- 
nancy, the repugnancy of two characters which cannot 
be true of the same subject, as black and white. Formal 
Sign, in logic, a sign which denotes its object by virtue "i 
resembling it; a likeness; an icon ; an analogue: a dia- 
gram. 
The formal */</*( is that which represents the thing. So. 
a picture is a sign of the thing painU'd ; the footstep, of 
the foot ; conceptions, of things, etc. 
/;/-/. ;W,W.<, Monitio Logica (tr. by a Gentleman), 
1 1. xix. 2B. 
Formal Significate, the quality connoted by an adjec- 
tive. Formal signification, the regular signification of 
a word. Formal truth, logical consistency ; agreement 
with logical possibility. 
The knowledge of the form of thought is a formal know- 
ledge, and the harmony of thought with the form of thought 
is, consequently, formal truth. Now formal knowledge 
is of two kinds ; for it regards either the conditions of the 
elaliorative faculty the faculty of thought proper or 
the conditions of our presentations or representations of 
external things : that is, the intuitions of space and time. 
The former of these sciences is pure logic ; the latter is 
mathematics. Sir H'. llitmiltoit, Logic, xxvii. 
Formal unity, in metujih., the unity which belongs to 
an individual apart from iiis individuality. Thus, the 
humanity of Peter, apart from his individuality as Peter 
(Petreity), is one humanity, ami insofar possesses formal 
unity. Formal Whole, in lo<iic, a species considered as 
composed of its genus and specific difference. =Syn. 3. 
rri-rntoitidl. etc. (see ceremonious) ; punctilious, stiff, prim. 
formalism (for'mal-izm), . [< formal + -ism.'] 
1. The character of being formal; strict ad- 
herence to or observance of prescribed or rec- 
ognized form, rule, style, etiquette, or the like; 
excessive attachment to conventional usage, 
or (especially in religion) to external forms 
and observances ; hence, artificiality or cold 
stiffness of manner or behavior : as, judicial 
for nutl ixm ; forinulixiii in art; the formalism of 
pedantry or of court life ; cold formalism in 
public worship. 
This practice of asserting simply on authority, with the 
pretence and without the reality of assent, is what is meant 
]ty formalijtm. J. II. \einnau, (Irani, of Assent, p. 41. 
One good result had followed the constitutional /orm/- 
iim of the three reigns. Million, Const. Hist'., 37S. 
'nieformalunii and corruption of the prelatical churches. 
The Century, XXXVII. IK,. 
2. In /i/iihs. : (a) The system which denies the 
existence of matter and" recognizes form only; 
phenomenal idealism, (b) A belief in the suf- 
ficiency of formal logic, especially of the tradi- 
tional syllogistic, for the purposes of human 
thought. 
formalist (for'mal-ist), n. [= G. Dan. 8\v. for- 
malist, < F.formaUite = Pg. It. formaliata ; as 
formal + -j.v/.] 1. One who adheres strictly 
to established custom, form, or usage, as in 
style, conduct, or procedure ; one who is at- 
tached to the observance of recognized modes 
or methods ; also, one who has undue regard to 
forms and rules. 
There are in point of wisdome and sutticiencie, that doc 
nothing or little verie solemnly. It is a ridiculous thing, 
and fit for a satyre to pel-sons of judgement, to see what 
shifts these faruialitl* have, and what perspectives to 
make superficies to seeme body, that hath depth and 
bulke. Baron, Of Seeming Wise (1012). 
The cramping influence of a hard formalist on a young 
child in repressing his spirits and courage, paralyzing the 
understanding, ... is a familiar fact explained to the 
child when he becomes a man. Kmerxon, History. 
2. In pillion., one who denies the existence of 
matter and recognizes the existence of form 
only ; an idealist. 
formalistic (for-ma-lis'tik), a. [< formalist + 
-IP.] Characterized by formalism. 
To make forms essential is the essence of formalittie 
ritualism. C. Ifoilge, quoted in Church Polity, p. 297. 
formality (f6r-mal'i-ti),.; -p\. formalities (-tiz). 
[= F.fornifiUte = Sp. forma lirlud = Pg.formali- 
ilade = It. formalita; as formal + -ity.] 1. The 
condition or quality of being formal ; specifi- 
cally, rigid or undue observance of forms or 
established rules, as in style, conduct, or pro- 
cedure ; especially, the sacrifice of substance or 
spirit to form ; conventionality. 
Xor was his attendance on divine offices a matter of for- 
mality and custom, but of conscience. Bp. Atterbury. 
His heart was a little cold ; . . . his manners decorous 
even to formality. , Macaitlay, William Pitt. 
2. The result of exclusive attention to the 
rules of art, without life or spontaneity. 
Such [books] as are mere pieces of formalitii, so that if 
yon look on them you look through them. Pidlcr. 
3. An established order; a rule of proceeding; 
a formal mode or method: as, the formalitifx 
of judicial process ; formalities of law. 
The only part of \\\>- formal it !e which seemed to distress 
him was the plucking of the Bible out of his hand. 
Macaulay, Hist. Eng., vi. 
formation 
Land once afforested became subject toa peculiar system 
of laws, which, as well as t\ieforntalities required to con- 
stitute a valid afforestment, have been carefully ascer- 
tained by the Anglo-N'orman lawyers. 
Knrijc. lirit.. IX. 4011. 
4f. Validity ; binding force. 
Thu formality of the vow lies in the promise made to 
God. StilliitgJIeet. 
5f. Customary behavior or dress, or customary 
ceremony ; ceremonial. 
Civilians . . . attired in blacke gownes, with certainc 
tippets and formalities that they wear upon pleading days. 
Coryat, Crudities, I. 31. 
The pretender would have infallibly landed in our north- 
ern parts, and found them all sat down in \\\eir formality >, 
as the Gauls did the Koman senators. >'<///'/. 
6. In pJiilos., external appearance; formal part. 
To fix on God the formality of faculties or affections is 
the imposture of our fancies, and contradictory to his di- 
vinity. Glaitoille, Seep. Sci. 
7. In the philosophy of Duns Scotus, a formal 
element of being ; a quidditative ens, or any- 
thing belonging thereto except an intrinsic 
mode. Examples of formalities are : humanity, asineity, 
animality, quantity, quality, entity, unity, truth, goodness. 
Examples of intrinsic modes are : infinity, potentiality, 
necessity, existence, reality, hsecceity. 
Its parts are said to be formal ; as if one should say, 
which by reason only, which they call formality, are dis- 
tinguished. 
Biirfferxdicins, Monitio Logica (tr. by a Gentleman), 
|I. xiv. 10. 
8. The character of the formal in the Kantian 
sense; universality and necessity. 
formalize (for'nial-Iz), c. ; pret. and pp. formal- 
ized, ppr. foriali:in<i. [= F. formaliser = Sp. 
formalizar = Pg. ffrrmalinar = It. formalizzare : 
as formal + -ift.j I. trail*. If. To reduce to 
form ; give a certain form to ; model. 
The same spirit which anointed the blessed soul of our 
Saviour Christ doth so formalize, unite, and actuate his 
w hole race, as if both he and they were so many limbs com- 
pactcd into one body. Hooker. 
2. To render formal. 
It is curious to see the agency of this limportance at- 
tached to) gentility in formalizing even love and hatred. 
Whipple, Lit. and Life, p. 137. 
II. iii Ira UK. 1. To affect formality ; become 
formal. [Rare.] 
They turned their poor cottages into stately palaces, 
their true fasting into formalizing**"! partial abstinence. 
Hales, St. Peter's Kail. 
2f. To use forms, as of statement. 
Many times indeed our gallants can formalize in other 
words, but evermore the substance, and usually the very 
words are no other but these of Cain's, Let us go out into 
the field. Hale*, Duels. 
formalized (for'mal-I-zer), 11. A formalist. 
The ministers turned formalizes. 
Itor/er Xortli, Lord Guilford, II. 144. 
formally (f6r'mal-i), adr. [< ME. formfllicJir, 
formeliche; <, formal + -'/' 2 .] In a formal man- 
ner; as regards form ; inform. 
i) wher hastou ben so long hyde in muwe. 
That canst so wel undformeliclie arguwe .' 
Chaucer, Troilus, iv. 497. 
You and your follow ers do stand/ymirtM;i/divided against 
the authorised guides of the church and the rest of the 
people. Hooker, Eccles. Polity. 
A judgment In formalin right when its predicate is con- 
tained in the conception of the subject ; formally wrong 
when it is not. E. Caird, Philos. of Kant, p. 295. 
The true prlnclple/ormoCyltated by Butler, that "prob- 
ability is the guide of life." BiMiotheca Sacra, XLV. 711. 
The very devil assum'd tlieefonnalti/, 
That face, that voice, that gesture, that attire. 
lUicMtetou, A Mad World. 
[In the Scotist philosophy this adverb was introduced 
into a proposition to show that it was true by virtue of a 
definition, or "identically." 
The effect is said to be contained in the cause either/or - 
mally or eminently. When formally, or the effect is of the 
same nature with the cause, the cause is said to be unlvo- 
cal, and is equal to its effect. 
Burgemdiciiis, Monitio Logica (tr. by a Gentleman), 
[I. xvii. 21. 
That which formall,/ makes this [charity] a Christian 
grace is the spring from which it flows. Smalridgc. ] 
formate (f&r'mat), H. [</ori-ie + -afei.] A 
salt formed by the union ef formic acid with a 
base. Also called formiate. 
formation (for-ma'shon), H. [= G. Dan. Sir. for- 
mation, < F. formation = Sp. formation = Pg. 
formaqelo = It. formazione, < L. formatio(n-\ 
< formare, form: see form, u.] 1. The act or 
process of forming of making; the operation 
of composing by the union of materials or ele- 
ments, or of shaping and giving form; a put- 
ting or coming into form: as, the formation of 
a state or constitution ; the formation of ideas 
or of character. 
The Sixth Day concludes with the Formation of Man. 
Addijion, Spectator, No. 339. 
