informalityn.
/ˌɪnfɔːˈmalᵻti/, U.S. /ˌɪnfɔrˈmælədi/ The quality or fact of being informal; absence of formality; (as a count noun) an instance of this; an informal act or proceeding.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > disorder > irregularity > [noun] > absence of formality
informality1543
1543 in Acts Parl. Scotl. (1814) II. 433/1 For reductioun of ane proces be ressoun of informalite & nullite contenit in the samyn.
1597 T. Morley Plaine & Easie Introd. Musicke 75 In the first and second notes you rise as though it were a close, causing a great informalitie of closing, when you shoulde but begin.
1641 J. Maxwell Episcopacie not abivred in Scotl. ix. 75 Therefore leaving the informality of this Argument, I answer to the substance of the matter.
1716 J. Foster & J. Macartney in T. Lindesay Insolence of Dissenters against Establish’d Church 43 We hope the Informality of this our Return will be excus'd.
a1781 R. Watson Hist. Reign Philip III (1783) iii. 205 The defects and informalities complained of must have been entirely owing to carelessness.
1815 J. Dodson Rep. High Court Admiralty 1 39 Mr. Hansen has..waved all objection to the informality of the proceedings.
1865 E. B. Pusey Eirenicon 265 The informality or mistake of altering the common Creed.
1936 T. Sharp Eng. Panorama iii. 48 The activities of the landscapists became founded on a realization and acceptance of natural informality.
1952 Daily Express 27 Mar. 4/3 He punctuates his work with a gay laugh..and a first-name informality with colleagues.
1978 W. F. Buckley Stained Glass iii. 20 The men were taken by his slouchy informality.
2005 Chicago Tribune (Midwest ed.) 11 July iii. 1/1 He hit 10 home runs in his first 69 at-bats this season, which is, if you'll pardon the informality, sick.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1543