form
     n 1: the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a
          word that can be used to describe or identify something;
          "the inflected forms of a word can be represented by a
          stem and a list of inflections to be attached" [syn: {word
          form}, {signifier}, {descriptor}]
     2: a category of things distinguished by some common
        characteristic or quality; "sculpture is a form of art";
        "what kinds of desserts are there?" [syn: {kind}, {sort},
        {variety}]
     3: a perceptual structure; "the composition presents problems
        for students of musical form"; "a visual pattern must
        include not only objects but the spaces between them"
        [syn: {shape}, {pattern}]
     4: any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline);
        "he could barely make out their shapes through the smoke"
        [syn: {shape}, {configuration}, {contour}, {conformation}]
     5: alternative names for the body of a human being; "Leonardo
        studied the human body"; "he has a strong physique"; "the
        spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" [syn: {human body},
         {physical body}, {material body}, {soma}, {build}, {figure},
         {physique}, {anatomy}, {shape}, {bod}, {chassis}, {frame},
         {flesh}]
     6: the spatial arrangement of something as distinct from its
        substance; "geometry is the mathematical science of shape"
        [syn: {shape}]
     7: the visual appearance of something or someone; "the delicate
        cast of his features" [syn: {shape}, {cast}]
     8: (physical chemistry) a distinct state of matter in a system;
        matter that is identical in chemical composition and
        physical state and separated from other material by the
        phase boundary; "the reaction occurs in the liquid phase
        of the system" [syn: {phase}]
     9: a printed document with spaces in which to write; "he filled
        out his tax form"
     10: (biology) a group of organisms within a species that differ
         in trivial ways from similar groups; "a new strain of
         microorganisms" [syn: {variant}, {strain}, {var.}]
     11: an arrangement of the elements in a composition or
         discourse; "the essay was in the form of a dialogue"; "he
         first sketches the plot in outline form"
     12: a particular mode in which something is manifested; "his
         resentment took the form of extreme hostility"
     13: a body of students who are taught together; "early morning
         classes are always sleepy" [syn: {class}, {grade}]
     14: an ability to perform well; "he was at the top of his form";
         "the team was off form last night"
     15: a life-size dummy used to display clothes [syn: {mannequin},
          {manikin}, {mannikin}, {manakin}]
     16: a mold for setting concrete; "they built elaborate forms for
         pouring the foundation"
     v 1: to compose or represent:"This wall forms the background of
          the stage setting"; "The branches made a roof"; "This
          makes a fine introduction" [syn: {constitute}, {make}]
     2: create (as an entity); "social groups form everywhere";
        "They formed a company" [syn: {organize}, {organise}]
     3: develop into a distinctive entity; "our plans began to take
        shape" [syn: {take form}, {take shape}, {spring}]
     4: give a shape or form to; "shape the dough" [syn: {shape}]
     5: make something, usually for a specific function; "She molded
        the riceballs carefully"; "Form cylinders from the dough";
        "shape a figure"; "Work the metal into a sword" [syn: {shape},
         {work}, {mold}, {mould}, {forge}]
     6: establish or impress firmly in the mind; "We imprint our
        ideas onto our children" [syn: {imprint}]
     7: give shape to; "form the clay into a head" [ant: {deform}]
Source: WordNet® 2.0