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An aqueous solution of formaldehyde, used as a preservative in museums and as a disinfectant.

The practice or the doctrine of strict adherence to, or dependence on, external forms, esp. in matters of religion. Official formalism. Sir H. Rawlinson.

One overattentive to forms, or too much confined to them; esp., one who rests in external religious forms, or observes strictly the outward forms of worship, without possessing the life and spirit of religion. As far a formalist from wisdom sits, In judging eyes, as libertines from wits. Young.

The condition or quality of being formal, strictly ceremonious, precise, etc.

To give form, or a certain form, to; to model. [R.]

In a formal manner; essentially; characteristically; expressly; regularly; ceremoniously; precisely. That which formally makes this [charity] a Christian grace, is the spring from which it flows. Smalridge. You and your followers do stand formally divided against the authorized guides of the church and rest of the peop…

The shape and size of a book; hence, its external form.

A salt of formic acid. [Written also formiate.]

The act of giving form or shape to anything; a forming; a shaping. Beattie.

Giving form; having the power of giving form; plastic; as, the formative arts. The meanest plant can not be raised without seed, by any formative residing in the soil. Bentley.

First. [Obs.] "Adam our forme father." Chaucer.

Arranged, as stars in a constellation; as, formed stars. [R.]

A writ of right for a tenant in tail in case of a discontinuance of the estate tail. This writ has been abolished.

The female of a hawk or falcon.

One who forms; a maker; a creator.

One of the half ribs against the walls in a ceiling vaulted with ribs.

e past, either in time immediately preceding or at any indefinite distance; of old; heretofore.

Creative; imaginative. [R.] "The formful brain." Thomson.

Pertaining to, or derived from, ants; as, formic acid; in an extended sense, pertaining to, or derived from, formic acid; as, formic ether. Amido formic acid, carbamic acid. -- Formic acid, a colorless, mobile liquid, HCO.OH, of a sharp, acid taste, occurring naturally in ants, nettles, pine needles, etc., and produce…

A Linnæan genus of hymenopterous insects, including the common ants. See Ant.