Bad form

Bad form
Form Form (f[=o]rm; in senses 8 & 9, often f[=o]rm in England), n. [OE. & F. forme, fr. L. forma; cf. Skr. dhariman. Cf. {Firm}.] 1. The shape and structure of anything, as distinguished from the material of which it is composed; particular disposition or arrangement of matter, giving it individuality or distinctive character; configuration; figure; external appearance. [1913 Webster]

The form of his visage was changed. --Dan. iii. 19. [1913 Webster]

And woven close close, both matter, form, and style. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

2. Constitution; mode of construction, organization, etc.; system; as, a republican form of government. [1913 Webster]

3. Established method of expression or practice; fixed way of proceeding; conventional or stated scheme; formula; as, a form of prayer. [1913 Webster]

Those whom form of laws Condemned to die. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

4. Show without substance; empty, outside appearance; vain, trivial, or conventional ceremony; conventionality; formality; as, a matter of mere form. [1913 Webster]

Though well we may not pass upon his life Without the form of justice. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

5. Orderly arrangement; shapeliness; also, comeliness; elegance; beauty. [1913 Webster]

The earth was without form and void. --Gen. i. 2. [1913 Webster]

He hath no form nor comeliness. --Is. liii. 2. [1913 Webster]

6. A shape; an image; a phantom. [1913 Webster]

7. That by which shape is given or determined; mold; pattern; model. [1913 Webster]

8. A long seat; a bench; hence, a rank of students in a school; a class; also, a class or rank in society. ``Ladies of a high form.'' --Bp. Burnet. [1913 Webster]

9. The seat or bed of a hare. [1913 Webster]

As in a form sitteth a weary hare. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

10. (Print.) The type or other matter from which an impression is to be taken, arranged and secured in a chase. [1913 Webster]

11. (Fine Arts) The boundary line of a material object. In (painting), more generally, the human body. [1913 Webster]

12. (Gram.) The particular shape or structure of a word or part of speech; as, participial forms; verbal forms. [1913 Webster]

13. (Crystallog.) The combination of planes included under a general crystallographic symbol. It is not necessarily a closed solid. [1913 Webster]

14. (Metaph.) That assemblage or disposition of qualities which makes a conception, or that internal constitution which makes an existing thing to be what it is; -- called essential or substantial form, and contradistinguished from matter; hence, active or formative nature; law of being or activity; subjectively viewed, an idea; objectively, a law. [1913 Webster]

15. Mode of acting or manifestation to the senses, or the intellect; as, water assumes the form of ice or snow. In modern usage, the elements of a conception furnished by the mind's own activity, as contrasted with its object or condition, which is called the matter; subjectively, a mode of apprehension or belief conceived as dependent on the constitution of the mind; objectively, universal and necessary accompaniments or elements of every object known or thought of. [1913 Webster]

16. (Biol.) The peculiar characteristics of an organism as a type of others; also, the structure of the parts of an animal or plant. [1913 Webster]

{Good form} or {Bad form}, the general appearance, condition or action, originally of horses, afterwards of persons; as, the members of a boat crew are said to be in good form when they pull together uniformly. The phrases are further used colloquially in description of conduct or manners in society; as, it is not good form to smoke in the presence of a lady. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • bad form — Good or recognized, or bad or unaccepted, social usage ● form * * * bad form UK US noun [uncountable] british old fashioned behaviour that people do not like because it breaks a social rule Thesaurus: morally bad or wrong behavioursynonym * * * n …   Useful english dictionary

  • bad form — [n] bad style barbarism, impropriety, indecorum, inelegance, infelicity, solecism; concepts 275,633 …   New thesaurus

  • bad form — noun uncount BRITISH OLD FASHIONED behavior that people do not like because it breaks a social rule …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • bad form — n. (esp. BE) bad form to + inf. (it s bad form to be late) * * * (esp. BE) bad form to + inf. (it s bad form to be late) …   Combinatory dictionary

  • bad form — /bæd ˈfɔm/ (say bad fawm) noun a breach of good manners or the accepted code of behaviour …  

  • bad form — 1. noun Behaviour which is contrary to social expectations. Ant: good form 2. adjective rude; inappropriate …   Wiktionary

  • bad form — noun an offence against current social conventions …   English new terms dictionary

  • bad form — UK / US noun [uncountable] British old fashioned behaviour that people do not like because it breaks a social rule …   English dictionary

  • bad form —  Manners, habits, conventions, not conforming to those of polite society …   A concise dictionary of English slang

  • in bad form — {adv. phr.} Violating social custom or accepted behavior. * /When Bob went to the opera in blue jeans and without a tie, his father in law told him that it was in bad form./ Contrast: IN GOOD FORM …   Dictionary of American idioms

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