| 释义 |
▪ I. formal, a. and n.1|ˈfɔːməl|
[a. L. formālis, f. forma form n.: see -al1. Cf. F. formel.]
A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to form, in various senses.
a. Metaph. Pertaining to the form or constitutive essence of a thing; essential. Opposed to material. So formal cause (see cause n. 5).
c1386Chaucer Melib. ⁋433 The cause material been the fyve woundes of thy doghter. The cause formal is the manere of hir werkinge. c1430Art of Nombrynge (E.E.T.S.) 1 Sothely .2. manere of nombres ben notifiede; Materialle, as nombre is vnitees gadrede to gedres; Formalle, as nombre is a colleccione of vnitees. 1447O. Bokenham Seyntys Introd. (Roxb.) 1 The more clere That it may be the formal cause [He] Settyth in dew ordre clause be clause. 1587Golding De Mornay ii. (1617) 25 They be good, as in respect of their bare being: and euill, as in respect that they forgoe their formal being that is to say their goodnesse. 1628T. Spencer Logick 55 Man is..fit to loue the knowne good..this fitnes floweth from his reasonable soule or formall being. 1669Holder Elem. Speech 22 Of Letters the Material part is Breath and Voice; the Formal is constituted by the Motions and Figure of the Organs of Speech affecting Breath with a peculiar sound, by which each Letter is discriminated. a1703Burkitt On N.T. Luke xii. 32 The goodwill..of God is the original spring and formal cause, from whence all divine favours do proceed. a1716South Serm. (1744) X. 37 For deceit is the formal, constituent reason of hypocrisy. 1814Cary Dante, Par. ii. 71 Different virtues needs must be the fruits Of formal principles. 1827Whately Logic ii. v. §3 Whatever Term can be affirmed of several things, must express either their whole essence..or a part of their essence, (viz. either the material part, which is called the Genus, or the formal and distinguishing part, which is called Differentia).
†b. Pertaining to the specific form of an animal or plant. Of a seed or germ: Endowed with a principle of form. Obs.
c1400Lanfranc's Cirurg. 21 Þe foormal vertu which almyȝty god haþ ȝeue to þe maris ordeyneþ and diuidid euery partie of þese spermes..til þat þe child be born. 1605Bacon Adv. Learn. ii. iv. §5. 19 Being as a plant that cometh of the lust of the earth without a formal seed. 1677Hale Prim. Orig. Man. iii. vi. 277 Although it be admitted that Insects and spontaneè orta do or may arise from a Semen or Principle that is not univocal or formal.
c. Pertaining to the outward form, shape, or appearance (of a material object); also, in immaterial sense, pertaining to the form, arrangement, external qualities (e.g. of a work of art, a composition, etc.). † Also, occas. of knowledge: Theoretical as opposed to practical.
1639Evelyn Diary (1827) I. 15 Musick, in which I after⁓wards arriv'd to some formal knowledge, though to small perfection of hand. 1655G. S. in Hartlib Ref. Commw. Bees 27 Honey..out of which they [the Bees] doe separate a more fat substance, which they also transmute into Wax, with a formal transmutation. 1837Whewell Hist. Induct. Sc. (1857) I. 273 The distinction of formal and physical Astronomy. a1853Robertson Serm. Ser. iii. iii. (1872) 39 All living unity is spiritual, not formal. 1860Ruskin Mod. Paint. V. viii. i. 158 Invention Formal, otherwise and most commonly called technical composition.
d. Logic. Concerned with the form, as distinguished from the matter, of reasoning. formal concept [tr. G. formaler begriff]: a concept of logic, free from the descriptive content that would restrict it to any particular subject-matter (see quots.); formal implication (see quots.).
c1856Sir W. Hamilton Lect. Logic xxvii. (1860) II. 64 The harmony of thought with the form of thought, is..Formal Truth. Ibid. 231 App. i. 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..may be called Formal, or Subjective, or Abstract, or Pure, Logic. 1864Bowen Logic ii. 42 All this, however, is but the elimination of Formal error. 1870Jevons Elem. Logic vii. 69 It is no part of formal Logic to teach us how to interpret the meanings of sentences. 1903B. Russell Princ. Math. §15 The relation of formal implication..holds between propositional functions when the one implies the other for all values of the variable. 1922tr. Wittgenstein's Tractatus 4. 126 In the sense in which we speak of formal properties we can now speak also of formal concepts. (I introduce this expression in order to make clear the confusion of formal concepts with proper concepts which runs through the whole of the old logic.) 1932Lewis & Langford Symbolic Logic 101 The relation of formal implication is transitive, like material implication. 1939G. Ryle in Mind XLVIII. 149 To use the language of Kant and Wittgenstein, we were trying to treat formal concepts as if they were ‘proper’ or material concepts. Ibid. 151 A formal concept is one which may have a place in a proposition about any subject-matter you please, and some..will be present in any proposition... ‘Not’, ‘exists’, ‘some’, ‘other’,..and many others are not peculiar to any special topics. 1955A. N. Prior Formal Logic 197 The Russellian ‘formal’ implication is simply universal material implication. 1965E. J. Lemmon Beginning Logic iv. 154 The term ‘formal implication’ was coined by Russell to describe the universal quantification over a material implication: i.e. a proposition of the form ‘(x) (Fx→Gx)’.
e. Of or pertaining to customary form or conventionality.
1712Pope 1st. Ep. Miss Blount 42 Still in constraint your suff'ring Sex remains, Or bound in formal, or in real chains.
2. Characterized by, or regarded according to, its form; that is (so and so) in respect of form.
a. Theol. formal sin: one which is such in the full sense, as including not merely the outward act which is forbidden, but the circumstances which constitute it as sinful, e.g. evil intention. So formal schism, formal schismatic, etc. Opposed to material sin, etc.
1641J. Jackson True Evang. T. ii. 92 Therefore was there a positive Law..not to seeth the Kid in the mothers milke. Not that there was any direct, or formal sin, in that manner of Cookery. 1656Bramhall Replic. i. 66 Cannot God pardon formall, much more materiall Schism. Ibid. ix. 341 They are not formall, but only materiall Schismaticks.
†b. That is such in essence; strictly so called, essential. Obs.
1691Ray Creation ii. (1704) 289 The bottom of the Eye where the formal Organ of Vision is situate.
†c. That is such merely in outward form or appearance. Obs.
1581Sidney Apol. Poetrie (Arb.) 35 Pretty Allegories, stealing vnder the formall tales of Beastes. 1633Earl of Manchester Al Mondo (1636) 155 Formall penitents will easily part with so much of their sinne as may abate nothing of their profit. 1634Canne Necess. Separ. (1849) 231 The formal Protestants in England. 1737Bracken Farriery Impr. (1756) I. 286 It is a Kind of formal Leprosy which often begins in the Neck, Mane or Tail.
†d. Of quoted statements: Exact with regard to form. Obs.
1563Foxe A. & M. 708/1 What were the formall wordes, or at the least-wise in substance that I the sayde Bishop then vttered.
3. a. That is according to recognized forms, or to the rules of art or law. Formerly occas. const. † to.
1390Gower Conf. III. 89 The wise man accompteth After the formal proprete Of algorismes a, be, ce. c1425Wyntoun Cron. ix. Prol. 56 Now Modyr of þe Makare..To fair formale Fyne my labouris þow lede. 1526Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 168 The fourth condicyon of y⊇ prayer of y⊇ clene hert is, that it must be formall: that is to saye, it must be formed and ordred after the order of charite. 1529More Dial. Touchyng Pest. Sect Luther C ij b, A sylogysme & resonynge, almoste as formall as is the argumente. 1597Morley Introd. Mus. 74 It followeth to speake of a formal closing without a dis-cord or Cadence. 1602Daniel Trag. Philotas iv. ii, And haue his Tryal formal to our Laws. 1622Malynes Anc. Law-Merch. 394 You may not say in the Bill, It may please you to pay..and most men will not vse the words (Make him good Payment) but the fewer words the more formall. 1722De Foe Col. Jack (1840) 235 No one place..could have held out a formal siege. 1749Fielding Tom Jones vi. vii. (heading) A picture of formal courtship in miniature, as it always ought to be drawn.
†b. Made in proper form, regular, complete. Also in familiar use, ‘regular’, unmistakable. Obs.
1635Earl of Strafford Lett. (1739) I. 410 An Indisposition which hath hindred me from writing..a formal Fit of the Gout. 1673Evelyn Mem. (1857) I. 89 We went..to see the formal and formidable camp on Blackheath, raised to invade Holland. 1684Lond. Gaz. No. 1953/1 Though the Lower Town has no other defence than a single Wall, yet his Highness found it convenient to make formal approaches to it. 1719De Foe Crusoe i. 247 As there was a Door or Entrance there into my Cave, I made a formal fram'd Door-case, and a Door to it of Boards.
†c. Of a story, etc.: Elaborately constructed, circumstantial. Obs.
1592Warner Alb. Eng. vii. xxxv. (1612) 168 At full he could his lessons, and a formale lie would tell. 1662More Philos. Writ. Pref. Gen. (1712) 23 Such was that formal story of his casting incense on the Altar of an Idol. 1663Butler Hud. i. ii. 41 And never coyn a formal Lye on't, To make the Knight o'ercome the Giant. 1708Swift Sacr. Test Wks. 1755 II. i. 121 When the earl of Pembroke was in Ireland..a formal story was very gravely carried to his excellency.
†4.
a. Regular, having a definite principle, methodical.
b. Of feature, stature, etc.: Regular, shapely.
c. Normal in intellect, sane. Obs.
a.1413Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton) i. iii. (1859) 4 The ouer⁓most of the erthe was moost clere, and alwey the clerenesse amenussing dounward by verray formal processe. 1701Rowe Amb. Step-moth. v. ii. 2874 Formal Justice that severely strikes, And in an instant is serene and calm.
b.1525Ld. Berners Froiss. II. clxiv. [clx.] 455 Therle of Foiz..was a goodly prince and of a formall stature. 1548Hall Chron., Edw. IV (an. 3) 194 b, She was a woman more of formal countenaunce, then of excellent beautie, but yet of such beautie and favor that [etc.]. 1576Fleming Panopl. Epist. 377 Every joynte and limme..verie formall, and passing hansome.
c.1590Shakes. Com. Err. v. i. 105 With wholsome sirrups, drugges, and holy prayers To make of him a formall man againe.
5. Done or made with the forms recognized as ensuring validity; explicit and definite, as opposed to what is matter of tacit understanding.
1547Boorde Brev. Health Preamble, Let him loke to it, and make a formal wyl or testament. 1560–78Bk. Discipl. Ch. Scot. (1621) 21 It hath power to excommunicate the obstinate, formall processe being led. 1622Bacon Holy War Misc. Wks. (1629) 127 As there are Formall and written Leagues, Respective to certaine Enemies; So is there a Naturall and Tacite Confederation, amongst all Men against the common Enemy of Humane Society. 1626Chas. I in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. i. III. 249 For Blennill he has yet but made his formale demands concerning the Ships. 1771Junius Lett. lxii. 321 Nor has there ever been a formal decision against them in any of the superior Courts. 1838Thirlwall Greece II. xiv. 228 Cleomenes, without waiting for a formal commission, immediately repaired to ægina. 1856Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) II. vii. 129 Both the king and the archbishop had disobeyed a formal inhibition.
¶ Predicatively of a law: Of unmistakable import, decisive. [A Gallicism.]
1701tr. Le Clerc's Prim. Fathers 260 He could not be transferred to Constantinople without breaking the Fifteenth Canon of the Council of Nice which is formal thereupon.
6. a. Connected with or accompanied by form or ceremony; ceremonial, ‘state’.
1602Warner Alb. Eng. xi. lxvi. 283 Scarce Cleopatras Anthony was feasted with more cheere..than Jenkinson was heere: In formall Hawking, Hunting, Chace not them came Tristram neere. 1841Elphinstone Hist. Ind. I. xi. 355 The most general practice on formal occasions is [etc.]. 1875W. S. Hayward Love agst. World 3 It will save the squire a formal call.
†b. Of apparel: Ceremonial, proper to a dignity or office. Cf. formality 10. Obs.
1593Rites & Mon. Ch. Durh. (Surtees) 43 [Pictures of bps. etc.] most largly and sumptuously sett fourth in there formall apparell. 1656Stanley Hist. Philos. iv. (1701) 136/1, I will not with a formal robe disgrace Myself.
7. That is merely matter of form:
a. Done or adopted for the sake of form or convention; perfunctory; having the form without the spirit or substance.
b. That is matter of routine only, not of substantial import.
a.1648Milton Tenure Kings (1650) 45 A formal preachment huddl'd up at the odd hours of a lazy week. 1676Dryden Aurengz. ii. i, Of formal duty, make no more thy boast. 1720Watts Hymn, Come Holy Spirit, In vain we tune our formal songs, In vain we strive to rise.
b.1818Cruise Digest (ed. 2) IV. 256 This doctrine..does not extend to mere formal acts.
8. Of persons, their manners and actions: Rigorously observant of forms; precise; prim in attire; ceremonious. Chiefly in reproachful use: Unduly precise or ceremonious, stiff.
1514Barclay Cyt. & Uplondyshm. (Percy Soc.) 1 Amyntas was formalle & propre in his gere. 1594Shakes. Rich. III, iii. i. 82 Thus like the formall Vice, Iniquitie, I morallize two meanings in one word. 1596― Tam. Shr. iii. i. 61 Are you so formall, sir? 1607–12Bacon Ess., Ceremonies (Arb.) 26 Especially they [Ceremonies] be not to be omitted to Straungers and formall Natures. 1679Penn Addr. Prot. i. vii. (1692) 27 He is reported Formal, that will not be Rude to Sacred Things. c1689Prior Ode, ‘While Blooming Youth’ 25 Forc'd compliments and formal bows. 1693Hum. & Conv. Town 125 The distant Justice of Peace, his formal Spouse, and Daughters. 1711Addison Spect. No. 119 ⁋5 To make Conversation too stiff, formal and precise. 1749Chesterfield Lett. (1792) II. cxciii. 220 All the evening in formal fine company. 1853Lytton My Novel ii. vii, More familiar with his master than we formal English permit our domestics to be.
9. a. Marked by extreme or excessive regularity or symmetry; stiff or rigid in design; wanting in ease or freedom of outline or arrangement.
1597Shakes. Lover's Compl. 29 Her hair, nor loose, nor tied in formal plat. 1753Hogarth Anal. Beauty vi. 34 When any part of dress has not the excuse of fitness or propriety for its uniformity of parts, the ladies always call it formal. 1807–8W. Irving Salmag. (1824) 116 Your plaited shirts, Your formal bag-wigs. 1873Black Pr. Thule xxi. 353 Small windows with formal red curtains. 1874L. Stephen Hours in Library (1892) I. iii. 120 Pope..was one of the first..to break through the old formal school of gardening.
b. In immaterial sense: Having a ‘set’ or rigorously methodical aspect or character.
1726G. Shelvocke Voy. round World (1757) 423 It would perhaps be too formal to enter upon a discourse concerning their government. 1846McCulloch Acc. Brit. Empire (1854) II. 367 Formal harangues of this sort are about the least efficient of all the modes in which information can be conveyed to the student. 1865Grote Plato (1875) Pref. 5 The dramatic—as contrasted with the formal and systematising.
B. n. A thing that is formal; esp. (orig. and chiefly U.S.) (an) evening dress; an engagement at which such dress is worn.
1605Timme Quersit. ii. iv. 14 Simples may be distinguished into those things which are simple formes, and into those which are simple matters; or into those things which are simply formals, and into those which are simply materials. Those things which are simply formall are astrall and spirituall. 1875Whitney Life Lang. v. 95 They are etherealized formals. 1941Amer. Speech XVI. 96 They are all right for casuals or spectator wear, but I'd get that formal in either Waltz Blue or Coronado Coral. 1946New Yorker 28 Sept. 27/2 The neighboring children were strange, with..their queer talk of dates, and formals, and going steady. 1948Ibid. 27 Mar. 29/1 The initiates wore evening dresses (formals, formals, Emily reminded herself to say). 1961M. Beadle These Ruins are Inhabited (1963) v. 71 If a dinner invitation does not specify ‘informal’, guests assume that black ties will be worn. Young ladies then wear short formals, and old ladies wear floor-length evening dresses. 1968‘A. York’ Predator vi. 86 She looked sufficiently virginal to be attending her first formal.
▪ II. formal
var. form of formel. |