Search the Dictionary

onal, prescribed, or customary forms or rules; irregular; hence, without ceremony; as, an informal writting, proceeding, or visit.

The state of being informal; want of regular, prescribed, or customary form; as, the informality of legal proceedings.

In an informal manner.

Informal talk or discussion, as about literary matters; light conversation; chat.

n, conversation, esp. common and familiar conversation; conversational; hence, unstudied; informal; as, colloquial intercourse; colloquial phrases; a colloquial style. -- Col*lo"qui*al*ly, adv. His [Johnson's] colloquial talents were, indeed, of the highest order. Macaulay.

An agreement or contract less formal than, or preliminary to, a traety; an informal compact, as between commanders of armies in respect to suspension of hostilities, or between states; also, a formal agreement between governments or sovereign powers; as, a postal convetion between two governments. This convention, I th…

Colloqual discourse; oral interchange of sentiments and observations; informal dialogue. The influence exercised by his [Johnson's] conversation was altogether without a parallel. Macaulay.

To engage, in familiar colloqui; to interchange thoughts and opinions in a free, informal manner; to chat; -- followed by with before a person; by on, about, concerning, etc., before a thing. Companions That do converse and waste the time together. Shak. We had conversed so often on that subject. Dryden.…

he end at which the sound issues; -- called in France cor de chasse. -- French leave, an informal, hasty, or secret departure; esp., the leaving a place without paying one's debts. -- French pie Etym: [French (here used in sense of "foreign") + pie a magpie (in allusion to its black and white color)] (Zoöl.), the Eur…

A dance; esp., an informal dance of ball. [Colloq.] Hop, skip (or step), and jump, a game or athletic sport in which the participants cover as much ground as possible by a hop, stride, and jump in succession. Addison.

To assign or address to; to commend to by a shot address; to dedicate informally; as, to inscribe an ode to a friend. Dryden.

An address, consignment, or informal dedication, as of a book to a person, as a mark of respect or an invitation of patronage.

An informal social party at which a light collation is offered, held in the afternoon or early evening. Cf. Drum, n., 4 and 5.

A portion of food taken at any time except at a regular meal; an informal or light repast, as between breakfast and dinner.

A brief or informal note in writing of some transaction, or an outline of an intended instrument; an instrument drawn up in a brief and compendious form. Memorandum check, a check given as an acknowledgment of indebtedness, but with the understanding that it will not be presented at bank unless the maker fails to take…

A species of informal state paper, much used in negotiation.

909. Leading features are freedom for physical activity (no stationary desks and chairs), informal and individual instruction, the very early development of writing, and an extended sensory and motor training (with special emphasis on vision, touch, perception of movement, and their interconnections), mediated by a pat…

A short informal letter; a billet.

e that is picked up, as a meal hastily got up for the occasion, a chance acquaintance, an informal game, etc.

en court; -- so called because anciently moved for by the attorneys at side bar, that is, informally. Burril. -- Side box, a box or inclosed seat on the side of a theater. To insure a side-box station at half price. Cowper. -- Side chain, one of two safety chains connecting a tender with a locomotive, at the sides. -…