formalityn.
/fɔːˈmalᵻti/, /fəˈmalᵻti/, U.S. /fɔrˈmælədi/ a. Formal or essential nature; the characteristic or distinctive property by which a thing is defined. Also, the condition of possessing formal existence.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > reality or real existence or actuality > [noun] > reality or quality of being real
reality1545
formality1570
trueness1604
realness1612
thatness1643
positivity1659
actualness1668
positiveness1668
thingsomeness1674
somethingness1675
thingship1697
authenticity1839
thingness1840
truth1842
isness1865
thinginess1891
the world > existence and causation > existence > intrinsicality or inherence > [noun] > a characteristic
privilegec1225
distinctionc1374
propertyc1390
tachea1400
pointa1425
specialty?a1425
difference?c1425
conditionc1460
markc1522
touch1528
specialty1532
differentia1551
character?1569
formality1570
particularity1585
peculiar1589
accent1591
appropriation1600
characterism1603
peculiarity1606
resemblance1622
propera1626
speciality1625
specificationa1631
appropriament1633
characteristic1646
discrimination1646
diagnostic1651
characteristical1660
stroke1666
talent1670
physiognomya1680
oddity1713
distinctive1816
spécialité1836
trait1864
flavour1866
middle name1905
discriminant1920
discriminator1943
the world > existence and causation > existence > intrinsicality or inherence > essence or intrinsic nature > [noun]
pitheOE
i-cundeeOE
roota1325
substancec1330
juicec1380
marrowa1382
formc1385
acta1398
quidditya1398
substantial forma1398
inward1398
savourc1400
inwardc1450
allaya1456
essencya1475
being1521
bottom1531
spirit?1534
summary1548
ecceity1549
core1556
flower1568
formality1570
sum and substance1572
alloy1594
soul1598
inwardness1605
quid1606
fibre1607
selfness1611
whatness1611
essentialityc1616
propera1626
the whole shot1628
substantiala1631
esse1642
entity1643
virtuality1646
ingeny1647
quoddity1647
intimacy1648
ens1649
inbeing1661
essence1667
interiority1701
intrinsic1716
stamen1758
character1761
quidditas1782
hyparxis1792
rasa1800
bone1829
what1861
isness1865
inscape1868
as-suchness1909
Wesen1959
1570 J. Dee in H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. Math. Præf. sig. *j Creatures..brought, from Nothing, to the Formalitie of their being and state.
1596 T. Bell Suruey Popery iii. ix. 378 The formalitie of original sin is of two sorts.
1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar iii. xvii. 66 This calamity in its own formality..is a punishment.
1682 N. Grew Idea Philos. Hist. Plants 4 in Anat. Plants Those Formalities, wherein their [sc. plants'] Essence doth consist.
1686 J. Goad Astro-meteorologica iii. iii. 449 Motion is the Formality of Wind.
1737 D. Waterland Rev. Doctr. Eucharist 19 Mr. Scandret, distinguishing a Sacrament, according to its precise Formality, from a Sacrifice, observes [etc.].
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > [noun]
kindeOE
i-cundeOE
mannera1225
jetc1330
colour1340
hair1387
estrete1393
gendera1398
hedea1400
savourc1400
stockc1450
toucha1500
rate1509
barrel1542
suit1548
fashion1562
special1563
stamp1573
family1598
garb1600
espece1602
kidney1602
bran1610
formality1610
editiona1627
make1660
cast1673
tour1702
way1702
specie1711
tenor1729
ilk1790
genre1816
stripe1853
persuasion1855
1610 J. Healey tr. St. Augustine Citie of God i. xiv. 25 The cittie being nothing but a multitude of men vnited in one formality of religion and estate.
1660 Bp. J. Taylor Ductor Dubitantium I. i. iii If it be propounded as evil, the will that chooses it under that formality is criminal.
1668 N. Culpeper & A. Cole tr. T. Bartholin Anat. (new ed.) i. xxviii. 70 The womb is sensible of Odours, not under the formality of Odours, but is only affected by the..subtile vaporous matter conjoyned.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > [noun]
onseneeOE
bleea1000
shapeOE
ylikeOE
laitc1175
semblanta1225
sightc1275
fare1297
showingc1300
specea1325
parelc1330
guise1340
countenance1362
semblance?a1366
apparel1377
regardc1380
apparencec1384
imagec1384
spicec1384
overseeminga1398
kenninga1400
seemingc1400
visage1422
rinda1450
semenauntc1450
'pearance1456
outwardc1475
representation1489
favour?a1500
figurea1522
assemblant1523
prospect?1533
respect1535
visure1545
perceiverance1546
outwardshine1549
view1556
species1559
utter-shape1566
look1567
physiognomy1567
face1572
paintry1573
visor1575
mienc1586
superficies?1589
behaviour1590
aspect1594
complexion1597
confrontment1604
show1604
aira1616
beseeminga1616
formality1615
resemblancea1616
blush1620
upcomea1630
presentment1637
scheme1655
sensation1662
visibility1669
plumage1707
facies1727
remark1748
extrinsica1797
exterior1801
showance1820
the cut of one's jib1823
personnel1839
personal appearance1842
what-like1853
look-see1898
outwall1933
visuality1938
prosopon1947
1615 J. Stephens Satyrical Ess. (1857) 134 The walking Apes; which on the Mountaines seeme carefull Inhabitants, but at your approach, the formality of man only.
1640 Bp. J. Hall Episcopacie ii. xxii. 215 There may be some appendances and formalities of government alterable by the wisdome of the Church; yet for the main substance, it is now utterly indispensable.
1645 J. Milton Tetrachordon 35 Sacred things not perform'd sincerely..are no way acceptable to God in thir outward formality.
1649 J. Milton Εικονοκλαστης xxvii. 212 To root up all true vertue and honour, or to be contented onely with some leaves and withering formalities of them, without any reall fruits.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > [noun] > methodicalness
formality1603
method1619
methodicalness1678
orderliness1830
systematicness1836
systematicity1845
methodicality1861
businesslikeness1870
1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 423 Who greatly commended the Eliens for observing such good order and formality at the Olympick games.
1628 R. Le Grys tr. J. Barclay Argenis ii. 101 Meleander..had..escaped [poison] by the carefulnesse of his seruants, who did looke to his meate and his clothes with a curious formality.
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. iv. 157 The Arch Bishop..was very punctual and ceremonious in his proceedings..the formality of his exemplary justice [etc.].
1657 T. M. Life Satyrical Puppy 15 A strange dejected humour possest him three months, his actions were quite void of formality, his domestick affaires by himselfe neglected.
1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. iii. 197 Such Judges (whose formality was first to Imprison, and after, at Their leisure, to Examine).
4. Accordance with legal form.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > rule of law > [noun] > legality or conformity with the law > accordance with legal form
formality1660
1660 Exact Accompt Trial Regicides 51 When a man would plead any thing, because he would Plead it in Formality, Councel is allowed.
1693 T. Creech tr. Juvenal Satires xiii. xv. 179 If Men forswear the Deeds and Bonds they draw, Tho' Sign'd with all formality of Law.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > [noun] > qualities of music generally
formality1531
humoura1568
languor1751
morbidezza1833
pop1862
go1882
monophony1890
jazziness1916
blueness1929
linearity1947
funkiness1957
spikiness1962
society > leisure > the arts > literature > a written composition > parts of a written composition > [noun] > form
formality1531
1531 T. Elyot Bk. named Gouernour i. xiv. sig. Gviiiv Than appoynte they howe many plees maye be made for euery parte, and in what formalitie they shulde be sette, whiche is the seconde parte of Rhetorike, called disposition.
1597 T. Morley Plaine & Easie Introd. Musicke 76 In descanting you must not onelie seeke true cordes, but formalitie also: that is, to make your descant carrie some forme of relation to the plaine song.
1655 Campion's Art of composing Musick in Parts in J. Playford Introd. Skill Musick ii. 13 If in the first Rule the notes follow not in expected formality.
1677 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 12 838 Formality [in music] requires, that the succeeding Notes be agreable to the former.
6. Conformity to established rule; customary propriety. Often in depreciative sense, rigid or merely conventional observance of forms.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > a standard of conduct > [noun] > acting according to some standard, fashion, etc. > conformity to established rules
formality1597
formula1837
formulism1838
formularism1927
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > conformity to or with a pattern, etc. > [noun] > conformity to prescribed or customary rule
formality1597
fashionableness1608
1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. xxix. 59 The attyre..being..a matter of meere formalitie.
a1625 King Charles I Let. in Athenæum 24 Feb. (1872) 241/3 Which I wryt not for formalities sake, but doe indede fynd myselfe ingaged both in honnor and affection.
1706 F. Atterbury Serm. Funeral Mr. Bennet 20 Nor was his Attendance on Divine Offices a matter of Formality and Custom, but of Conscience.
1874 J. Morley On Compromise 138 If the religious spirit is only a fine name for..mere social formality.
1881 Tylor in Nature No. 623. 529 To give an idea of the state of formality into which life has come among these supposed free-and-easy savages.
7. Ceremony, elaborate procedure.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > ostentation > ceremony or formality > [noun]
with or in (great, etc.) solemnityc1290
ceremonialc1380
circumstancec1386
celebrityc1425
pomposity?a1475
solemness1530
state1599
fashionableness1608
ceremoniality1623
decorum1638
setness1642
formality1666
ceremonialnessa1680
formalness1684
gravity1689
solemn1706
ceremony1759
panjandrum1860
1666 S. Pepys Diary 11 Apr. (1972) VII. 96 To Gresham College, where a great deal of do and formality in choosing of the Council and Officers.
1705 G. Stanhope Paraphr. Epist. & Gospels II. 329 Our Enemy makes his Approaches toward us with less Formality..than He..could do against the Holy Jesus.
1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World i. 105 Prodigious State and Formality.
1865 A. Maffei Brigand Life I. 240 Without a moment's delay, and with scarcely any formality, the sentence was carried into effect.
8. A ceremony; a formal act or observance; a legal, authorized, or customary procedure.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > ostentation > ceremony or formality > [noun] > a ceremony or formality
ceremonyc1380
rialtyc1415
complement1597
formality1674
rites1929
the world > action or operation > behaviour > a standard of conduct > [noun] > acting according to some standard, fashion, etc. > conformity to established rules > a procedure
formality1674
1674 tr. P. M. de la Martinière New Voy. Northern Countries 52 The pleasant Funeral formalities among the Muscovian Laplanders.
1741 C. Middleton Hist. Life Cicero I. vi. 530 After the election, he was installed, with all the usual formalities, by Hortensius.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones VI. xvi. iv. 32 I insist on the Formality of its being delivered me, with a full Ratification of all the Concessions stipulated. View more context for this quotation
1861 A. Trollope Orley Farm (1862) I. i. 2 A codicil to his will, executed with due legal formalities, bequeathed Orley Farm to his youngest son.
9. † b. Ceremonious attention (paid to a person).
a. Something required to be done for form's sake; a requirement of etiquette, custom, etc. (Often depreciatively, implying mere attention to externals.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > a standard of conduct > [noun] > acting according to some standard, fashion, etc. > conformity to established rules > mere conventional observance > something done for form's sake
formality1664
form1711
1664 H. More Modest Enq. Myst. Iniquity 453 Antichrist and his adherents..boasting of works and dead formalities.
1685 tr. B. Gracián y Morales Courtiers Oracle 169 He shall never gain the esteem of an able man, who sticks too much upon Formalities.
1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. i. 11 It would put an end..to all those Formalities, which..might yet retard the Infanta's voyage into England.
1841 T. Carlyle On Heroes iv. 210 How, by fasts, vigils, formalities and mass-work, a man's soul could be saved.
1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. I. viii. 90 Many a warm shake of the hand showed me that our good~bye was not a mere formality.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People iv. §2. 174 Their presence..became so pure a formality that [etc.].
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous act or expression > [noun] > ceremonious
ceremonyc1386
complement1578
complemento1582
formality1603
accompliment1613
compliment1655
ceremonial1749
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 96 The emperour..become his hoste, entertained him with all the formalities that faigned friendship could deuise.
1692 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) II. 564 The mayor and aldermen attended on the prince and princesse daily; but had received notice..to desist paying those formalities.
1757 G. Shelvocke, Jr. Shelvocke's Voy. round World (ed. 2) xiv. 407 Those..they guessed..to be above the common sort. These they always received with such formality as could not be expected in such a place.
10. † b. In wider sense: Ceremonial or significant garments of any kind. Obsolete.
a. plural or collective singular. Robes or insignia of office or dignity. Obsolete exc. Historical †Also (rarely) in singular, an armorial bearing.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > insignia > heraldic devices collective > charge: device on shield > [noun]
bearing1562
prise1572
formality?1578
charge1599
armorial bearings1610
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for body or trunk (and limbs) > [noun] > loose clothing > robe or gown > types of > indicative of office, profession, or status
robec1300
gown1377
formality?1578
toga1738
toguea1862
?1578 W. Patten Let. Entertainm. Killingwoorth 52 Appeerz then a fresh, in hiz ful formalitee with a loouely look.
1614 J. Selden Titles of Honor 196 Neither haue they now the Crown as a part of their habit, but a formalitie only on their Armorie.
1614 T. Lorkin Let. in R. Willis & J. W. Clark Archit. Hist. Univ. Cambr. (1886) III. 35 Doctors in their formalityes and vpon their foots~cloths.
1696 London Gaz. No. 3176/1 In the morning the Magistrates went to Church in a Body, and in their Formality.
1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 173. ⁋8 Divest themselves with too much haste of their academical formality.
1753 in London Evening Post 9 Aug. The corporation of Scarborough waited upon the Rt. Hon. Henry Pelham, Esq., in their formalities.
1894 C. W. Boase Registrum Collegii Exoniensis (new ed.) p. xlvii The picture of a man kneeling, with his gown and formalities upon him.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [noun] > for specific purpose > official or ceremonial
feast clotha1325
formality1673
full dress1724
toggery1826
grande tenue1829
pontificalibus1855
war-paint1859
1673 W. Cave Primitive Christianity iii. v. 367 They appeared in all the Formalities of Sorrow and Mourning.
1718 S. Centlivre Bold Stroke for Wife v. 56 I hop'd to have been quiet, when once I had put on your odious Formality here [i.e. a Quaker dress].
11. The attribute of being formal; precision, rigid decorum of manners; excessive regularity or stiffness (of style, outline, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > [noun] > seemly behaviour or propriety > strict decorum
formc1405
galancie1581
ceremoniousness1583
punctilio1596
formality1599
ceremony1603
punctuality1618
punctillea1648
complementalness1657
formalness1684
punctiliousness1685
nicety1693
ceremonial1749
square-toedness1846
punctiliosity1859
uptightness1969
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > discourtesy > [noun] > lack of affability
strangenessc1386
unhomelinessc1440
fremdnessa1500
coldness1557
coolnessa1586
self-guarda1586
diskindness1596
formality1599
reservedness1606
inaffability1611
restrainta1616
unconess1637
chillness1639
froideur1645
distance1660
starchedness1670
buckram1682
starchness?1693
starch1694
reserve1711
stiffness1717
unapproachableness1727
retirement1803
angularity1824
standoffishness1826
distancy1836
chill1837
starchiness1844
unapproachability1846
hedgehogginess1858
standoff1865
offishness1867
aloofness1878
pokerishness1880
untouchableness1909
untouchability1919
stuffiness1926
the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > pleasing fitness > [noun] > seemliness or propriety
seemlihead?a1366
honestya1398
comeliness1440
seemlityc1440
semblessea1500
elegance1540
seemliness1548
decency1584
handsomeness1595
civility1612
pickle1706
bienseancea1797
formality1834
1599 T. Nashe Lenten Stuffe 21 An eniuersal [sic] marchantly formallity, in habitte, speach, gestures.
1703 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion II. vi. 157 That which look'd like Formality, was a Punctuality in preserving his dignity.
1789 W. Belsham Ess. I. iii. 66 The frozen formality..of Charles occasioned extreme disgust.
1834 T. B. Macaulay William Pitt in Ess. (1889) 301 His heart was a little cold..his manners decorous even to formality.
1844 T. Hood Haunted House i, in Hood's Mag. Jan. 4 The very yew Formality had train'd To such a rigid pyramidal stature.
1849 Florist 285 On our left the lake, the formality of its smooth banks elegantly broken by those willows.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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