formalism

[ Eng.formal; -ism.] The quality of being formal, or acting according to forms; formality. form-al-Ist, s. [Eng. formal; -ist; Fr. formal IMG:content-0048.png:[blocks in formation] 2. The condition or quality of being formal. 3. Established order, method, mode, or rule of proceeding. "As our revolution was a vindication of ancient rights, so it was conducted with strict attention to ancient for malities ." -Macaulay : Hist . Eng ., ch. x. 4. Customary or conventional mode or rules of behavior, dre , .; conventionality; ceremonial. "This to prevent, I set orations by, For pa ion seldom loves formal i tie ." Browne: Britannia's Pastorals , bk. ii., s. 5. *5. Form without substance. "The attire, which the minister of God is by order to use at times of divine service, is but a matter of mere for mality."- Hooker . 6. E ence; that which constitutes a thing, as distinguished from its accidents. "According to the rule of the casuists, the formality of prodigality is inordinatene of our laying out, or misbestowing on what we should not."- Whitlock : Zootomia, p. 497. marine; gō, pot, formalize *7. ( Pl .) Special dre , as academical, ecclesiastical, . "Every deane besides had formalities."-Life of A. Wood, Feb. 12, 1558-9. *II. Scholastic Philos.: The manner in which a thing is conceived or constituted by an act of human 1901 form'-a-tive, a . & s . [Lat. format if ; Sp. & Ital. formativo , from Lat. format us , pa. par. of formo .] A. As adjective : 1. Ord. Lang.: Having the power or quality of giving form; plastic. and rationality are formalities.