pro formaadv.adj.n.
/(ˌ)prəʊ ˈfɔːmə/, U.S. /ˌproʊ ˈfɔrmə/ A. adv.
As a matter of form or politeness; (merely) as a formality.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > a standard of conduct > [adverb] > conformably > as a matter of form
pro forma1590
formally1870
the mind > emotion > pride > ostentation > ceremony or formality > [adverb] > as a matter of form
pro forma1590
in (full, great) form1788
formally1870
1572 J. Whitgift Answere to Admon. 180 The learned Papiste..commeth [to Holy Communion] onely for feare of punishement, or pro forma tantum, for fashion sake.]
1590 T. Digges Breife Rep. Proc. Reliefe Sluce 23 Such an Auditor..will none of this, but rather without more curiosity secundum usum Sarum make his reckonings with Warranto and Acquittancia and pro forma.
1623 J. Chamberlain in R. F. Williams Birch's Court & Times James I (1848) (modernized text) II. 425 Which is thought to be done rather pro formâ than ex animo.
1682 J. Scarlett Stile of Exchanges xxxvii. 262 He that to pleasure his Friend, suffers his Name to be used pro forma, as the Remitter..knowingly..does..endorse the said Bill.
1712 R. Sutton 19 Apr. in A. N. Kwat Despatches Sir R. Sutton (1953) 123 The Prime Vizir told the Plenipotentiaries, only pro formâ, that we should be Keffils of their Promises contained in the forementioned Attestation.
1788 Gentleman's Mag. 58 73/1 The cession of the Crimea by the Porte was contrary to the Alcoran, and was therefore admitted merely pro forma.
1849 Jrnl. Royal Geogr. Soc. 19 122 The doctrines of Buddha are pro formâ professed by a very few.
1877 W. W. Beach Indian Misc. 331 Many others in the circle, old and young, rose in order, and proforma, delivered themselves of a speech.
1903 Polit. Sci. Q. 18 402 The miners, pro forma, agreed to this limitation in the submission.
1948 Walla Walla (Washington) Union-Bull. 10 Oct. 22/6 You present us proforma with a car..in the value of about $1,000. We..keep the equivalent to your disposal.
1988 B. Cooper Alexander Kennedy Isbister ii. v. 136 Hawes thanked him pro forma on 31 March.
B. adj. (attributive).
1. Held, made, or done (merely) as a matter of form; formal, conventional.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > conformity to or with a pattern, etc. > [adjective] > conforming to a standard rule > conforming to prescribed forms > merely
fashional?1607
fashionable1608
fashionarya1640
formal1649
pro forma1823
formalistic1856
formalist1900
1823 J. Galt Provost xi. 86 I soon saw, that it was only a pro forma dinner, and that there was nothing of cordiality in all the civility with which we were treated.
1867 N. Amer. Rev. Jan. 213 His speech in the House is simply a pro forma rehearsal of propositions with which everybody is familiar.
1917 Frederick (Maryland) Post 3 Aug. 1/7 Some person will be designated to make this ‘proforma’ appeal to protect the Government's interest.
1947 B. Mitchell Depression Decade xi. 367 Pro forma recognition was progress, and doubtless prepared the way for more serious wartime protection.
1989 M. Bateson Composing Life (1990) p. x An intimate collaboration that deserves far more than the pro forma acknowledgments often given to spouses.
2004 New Yorker 15 Mar. 140/2 A reporter would make a proforma visit to a remote location so that the already written story could bear a dateline.
2. Business.
a. Designating a formal or standard document, esp. an invoice sent in advance of goods ordered, or with goods supplied on approval.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > management of money > keeping accounts > account or statement of > [noun] > invoice or bill > types of
long bill1616
by-bill1732
house bill1754
gas bill1816
advice note1834
pro forma1836
wash-bill1873
telephone bill1889
phone bill1936
1836 Times 11 Apr. 7/3 (advt.) An Appendix containing pro-forma invoices, Account Sales, Bills of Lading and Bills of Exchange.
1858 P. L. Simmonds Dict. Trade Products 303/2 Pro-forma-account, a model or sketch account; a pattern bill of particulars.
1930 M. Clark Home Trade 100 An order may be received from an unknown person or firm... In such cases a pro forma invoice may be dispatched.
1966 Science 11 Feb. (front matter) A pro forma invoice will be included with the second issue. To continue the service, just return one copy.
1999 J. G. Cruickshank in B. Nath et al. Environm. Managem. in Practice i. 36 Importation follow-up and EC documents must be filed..and a ‘pro-forma’ bill prepared prior to shipping.
b. Of or relating to a financial statement showing potential or expected income, costs, assets, or liabilities, esp. in relation to some planned act or situation.
ΚΠ
1836 Times 27 July 7/2 (advt.) Actual and pro forma statements of British and foreign invoices and account sales.
1881 Jrnl. Statist. Soc. 44 561 If..some Calcutta merchant had sent a clerk competent to make out a pro formâ account, it would have been determined that a large saving had been and could be effected.
1938 L. Gordon Public Corporation in Great Brit. v. 300 (note) Pro forma balance sheet of the London Passenger Transport Board.
1959 A. Gaitskell Gezira xii. 142 It became a matter of extreme difficulty to make the usual conservative forecast of the final selling price, or pro forma valuation as it was called.
2003 D. L. Scott Wall St. Words (ed. 3) 289 Unlike net income.., pro forma earnings are calculated in any number of ways.
C. n.
A pro forma document; an official form.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > writing > writing materials > material to write on > paper > [noun] > blank form for filling in
blank1586
write-off1751
card1817
registration card1842
application1849
entry form1856
form1856
application blank1866
pro forma1928
fiche1949
1928 E. Blunden Undertones of War ii. 19 He rejoiced in inventing new Army Forms, which he called ‘pro forma's’... Some of them were such that one's best information could not find a heading in them.
1945 Ann. Trop. Med. & Parasitol. 39 226 A senior member of the nursing staff..checked that the patient took the tablet and recorded each dose given and taken on a pro-forma.
1978 Jrnl. Royal Soc. Med. 71 413 Details of the illness were recorded on a proforma.
2000 News (Karachi) 25 Apr. 5/7 (advt.) Application[s] on prescribed proforma are invited for pre-qualification from reputed..dry cleaners/launderers.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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adv.adj.n.1590