noun · femininefirst declension
fōrma
fōrma f (genitive fōrmae)
Classical[ˈfoːr.ma]Ecclesiastical[ˈfɔr.ma]
№ 422 of the 1,000 commonest wordsMille Verba core vocabulary
Meaning
- form; figure, shape, appearance
- fine form; beauty
Fōrma bonum fragile est, quantumque accēdit ad annōs […]
A frail advantage is beauty, that grows less as time draws on.2 CE, Ovidius, Ars Amatoria 2.113 - outline, plan, design
- model, pattern, stamp, mold
- figurativelymanner, kind, sort
Latīnē defined in Latin in our graded readers
quālis rēs vidētur: fōrma corporis; etiam pulchritūdō.fōrma -ae f — in Mille Verba, Colōrēs
Choosing the right word Döderlein's Latin Synonyms
Figura · Forma · Species
Figura (from fingere, φέγγειν,) denotes shape altogether indifferently, in its mathematical relation, as far as it possesses a definite outline, like σχῆμα; whereas forma (φόριμος, φόρημα,) denotes it in an æsthetical relation, as far as it is a visible stamp and copy of an interior substance, to which it corresponds, like μορφή; lastly, species, in its physical relation, as far as it stands opposed to the inner invisible substance, which it covers as a mere outside, like εἶδος. Hence figurare means to shape, that is, to give a definite outline to a formless mass; whereas formare means to form, that is, to give the right shape to an unwrought mass; and lastly, speciem addere means to bedeck any thing, in the old sense of the word, that is, to give to a mass already formed an exterior that shall attract the eye. According to this explanation figura refers exclusively to the outline or lineaments, whilst forma, or at least species, involves color, size, and the like. (iii. 25.)
Declension
| form | singular | plural |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | fōrma | fōrmae |
| genitive | fōrmae | fōrmārum |
| dative | fōrmae | fōrmīs |
| accusative | fōrmam | fōrmās |
| ablative | fōrmā | fōrmīs |
| vocative | fōrma | fōrmae |
Phrases from Meissner's Latin Phrase-Book
- forma rei publicae
- the constitution.
- undique expleta et perfecta forma
- an ideal.
- formas (not figuras) geometricas describere
- to draw geometrical figures.
- constructio, structura verborum, forma dicendi
- the construction.
- species optima or eximia, specimen, also simply species, forma
- an ideal.
- Asiam in provinciae formam (in provinciam) redigere (B. G. 1. 45)
- to make Asia into a Roman province.
forma, ae, f. Sanscr. dhar-, dhar-āmi, bear; dhar-i-man, figure; Gr. θρα- in θρῆνυς, θρόνος; cf. Lat. frētus, frēnum, fortis, etc.,
I. form, in the most comprehensive sense of the word, contour, figure, shape, appearance (syn.: species, frons, facies, vultus; figura).
I. Lit.
A. In gen.: Ha. Earum nutrix, qua sit facie, mihi expedi. Mi. Statura haud magna, corpore aquilo. Ha. Ipsa ea'st. Mi. Specie venusta, ore parvo, atque oculis pernigris. Ha. Formam quidem hercle verbis depinxti mihi, Plaut. Poen. 5, 2, 154; cf.:
quia semper eorum suppeditabatur facies et forma manebat, Lucr. 5, 1175: corporis nostri partes totaque figura et forma et statura, quam apta ad naturam sit, apparet, Cic. Fin. 5, 12, 35; cf. Auct. Her. 4, 47, 60: si omnium animantium formam vincit hominis figura, etc., Cic. N. D. 1, 18, 48: forma ac species liberalis, id. Cael. 3, 6; cf. id. N. D. 1, 14, 37; 1, 27, 76 sqq.; Cic. Verr. 2, 4, 58, § 129; id. N. D. 1, 10, 26: aspicite, o cives, senis Enni imagini' formam, Enn. ap. Cic. Tusc. 1, 15, 34 (Epigr. 1 ed. Vahl.): hoc dico, non ab hominibus formae figuram venisse ad deos ... Non ergo illorum humana forma, sed nostra divina dicenda est, etc., id. N. D. 1, 32, 90: formaï servare figuram, Lucr. 4, 69; cf.: Homeri picturam, non poesin videmus. Quae regio, quae species formaque pugnae, qui motus hominum non ita expictus est, ut, etc., Cic. Tusc. 5, 39, 114 (v. Moser ad h. l.): eximia forma pueri, id. ib. 5, 21, 61: virgines formā excellente, Liv. 1, 9, 11: formā praestante puellae, Ov. H. 3, 35: forma viros neglecta decet, id. A. A. 1, 509; cf.: ut excellentem muliebris formae pulchritudinem muta in sese imago contineret, Cic. Inv. 2, 1, 1: illa aetate venerabilis, haec formae pulchrituline, Curt. 3, 11, 24: virginem adultam, formā excellentem, Liv. 3, 44, 4: virginem maxime formā notam, id. 4, 9, 4: una et viginti formae litterarum, Cic. N. D. 2, 37, 93: solis, Lucr. 5, 571: muralium falcium, Caes. B. G. 3, 14, 5: lanceae novae formae, Suet. Dom. 10: nova aedificiorum Urbis, id. Ner. 16: porticus, Plin. Ep. 9, 39, 5: forma et situs agri, Hor. Ep. 1, 16, 4: eādem cerā aliae atque aliae formae duci solent, Quint. 10, 5, 9: geometricae formae, Cic. Rep. 1, 17; cf. id. de Or. 1, 42, 187: cum sit geometria divisa in numeros atque formas, Quint. 1, 10, 35; cf. also: Archimedes intentus formis, quas in pulvere descripserat, Liv. 25, 31, 9: dimidia circuli, Plin. 2, 59, 60, § 150: clarissimorum virorum formae, figures, images, Cic. Mil. 32, 86: ille artifex, cum faceret Jovis formam aut Minervae, etc., id. Or. 2, 9: igneae formae, i. e. fiery bodies, id. N. D. 2, 40, 101: inque tori formam molles sternentur arenae, in the shape, form, Ov. Am. 2, 11, 47: (sacellum) crudis laterculis ad formam camini, Plin. 30, 7, 20, § 63: ut haec mulier praeter formam nihil ad similitudinem hominis reservarit, Cic. Clu. 70, 199.—In poet. circumlocution with gen.: astra tenent caeleste solum formaeque deorum, the forms of gods, for gods, Ov. M. 1, 73: formae ferarum, id. ib. 2, 78: ursi ac formae magnorum luporum, Verg. A. 7, 18: formae ingentis leo, of great size, Just. 15, 4, 17; Tac. A. 4, 72.—B. In partic.
1. Pregn., a fine form, beauty:
di tibi formam, di tibi divitias dederant, Hor. Ep. 1, 4, 6; cf.: et genus et formam regina pecunia donat, id. ib. 1, 6, 37: movit Ajacem forma captivae Tecmessae, id. C. 2, 4, 6; Quint. 2, 5, 12: neque, ut laudanda, quae pecuniam suam pluribus largitur, ita quae formam, id. 5, 11, 26; 5, 12, 17.—Prov.: forma bonum fragile est, Ov. A. A. 2, 113.—2. An outline, plan, design (of an architect, etc.):
cum formam videro, quale aedificium futurum sit, scire possum, Cic. Fam. 2, 8, 1: domus erit egregia; magis enim cerni jam poterat, quam quantum ex forma judicabamus, id. Q. Fr. 2, 5, 3 (2, 6, 2): qua ludum gladiatorium aedificaturus erat, Suet. Caes. 31.—3. A model after which any thing is made, a pattern, stamp, last (of a shoemaker), etc.:
utendum plane sermone, ut numo, cui publica forma est, Quint. 1, 6, 3: denarius formae publicae, Sen. Ben. 5, 29; cf.: formas quasdam nostrae pecuniae agnoscunt, Tac. G. 5: formas binarias, ternarias et quaternarias, et denarias etiam resolvi praecepit neque in usu cujusquam versari, stamped money, coins, Lampr. Alex. Sev. 39; cf. Curt. 5, 2, 11: si scalpra et formas non sutor (emat), Hor. S. 2, 3, 106; cf.: forma calcei, Dig. 9, 2, 5, § 3.—4. A mould which gives form to something:
(caseus) vel manu figuratur vel buxeis formis exprimitur, Col. 7, 8 fin.: formae in quibus aera funduntur, Plin. 36, 22, 49, § 168; hence, a frame, case, enclosure: opus tectorium propter excellentiam picturae ligneis formis inclusum, id. 35, 14, 49, § 173: formas rivorum perforare, i. e. the conduits, pipes, Front. Aquaed. 75: aquaeductus, Dig. 7, 1, 27.—Hence, b. Transf., the aqueduct itself, Front. Aquaed. 126.—
5. A rescript, formulary (post-class., whereas the dimin. formula is predominant in this signif.):
ex eorum (amicorum) sententia formas composuit, Capitol. Anton. 6; so Cod. Just. 1, 2, 20.—6. Item forma appellatur puls miliacea ex melle, Paul. ex Fest. p. 83 Müll.
II. Trop.
A. In gen., shape, form, nature, manner, kind:
ad me quasi formam communium temporum et totius rei publicae misisti expressam, Cic. Fam. 3, 11, 4; cf.: formam quidem ipsam et tamquam faciem honesti vides, id. Off. 1, 5, 14: innumerabiles quasi formae figuraeque dicendi, id. Or. 3, 9, 34: cum, quae forma et quasi naturalis nota cujusque sit, describitur, ut, si quaeratur avari species, seditiosi, gloriosi, id. de Or. 3, 29, 115; cf.: quae sit in ea species et forma et notio viri boni, id. Off. 3, 20, 81: forma ingenii, id. Brut. 85, 294: rei publicae, id. Fam. 2, 8, 1; cf.: exemplar formaque rei publicae, id. Rep. 2, 11: forma et species et origo tyranni, id. ib. 2, 29: forma rerum publicarum, id. Tusc. 2, 15, 36; cf. id. Rep. 1, 34 fin.: officii, id. Off. 1, 29, 103: propositi, Vell. 1, 16: sollicitudinum, Tac. A. 4, 60: formam vitae inire, id. ib. 1, 74: secundum vulgarem formam juris, Dig. 30, 1, 111: scelerum formae, Verg. A. 6, 626: poenae, id. ib. 615.—B. In partic.
1. In philos. lang., like species, a sort, kind: nolim, ne si Latine quidem dici possit, specierum et speciebus dicere; et saepe his casibus utendum est: at formis et formarum velim ... Genus et formam definiunt hoc modo: genus est notio ad plures differentias pertinens;
forma est notio, cujus differentia ad caput generis et quasi fontem referri potest. Formae igitur sunt hae, in quas genus sine ullius praetermissione dividitur, ut si quis jus in legem, morem, aequitatem dividat, etc., Cic. Top. 7, 31; cf.: genus et species, quam eandem formam Cicero vocat, Quint. 5, 10, 62: a forma generis, quam interdum, quo planius accipiatur, partem licet nominare, hoc modo, etc. ... Genus enim est uxor; ejus duae formae: una matrumfamilias, altera earum, quae tantummodo uxores habentur, Cic. Top. 4, 14: quod haec (partitio) sit totius in partes, illa (divisio) generis in formas, Quint. 5, 10, 63: duae formae matrimoniorum, id. 5, 10, 62.—2. In gram.
a. The grammatical quality, condition of a word:
in quo animadvertito, natura quadruplicem esse formam, ad quam in declinando accommodari debeant verba, etc., Varr. L. L. 9, § 37 sq.; 101 sq. Müll.; Quint. 10, 1, 10.—b. The grammatical form of a word:
utrum in secunda forma verbum temporale habeat in extrema syllaba AS an IS, ad discernendas dissimilitudines interest, Varr. L. L. 9, § 109 Müll.: aeditimus ea forma dictum, qua finitimus, Gell. 12, 10, 1.Charlton Lewis's shorter dictionary for students: the same scholarship in plain, modern definitions.
fōrma ae, f
a form, contour, figure, shape, appearance, looks: homines inter se formā similes: liberalis: eximia pueri: virgines formā excellentes, L.: formā praestante puellae, O.: formae litterarum: muralium falcium, Cs.: forma et situs agri, H.: formae, quas in pulvere descripserat, L.: clarissimorum virorum formae, figures: igneae formae, appearances: forma nostra reliquaque figura, countenance: formae deorum, i. e. the gods, O.: ursi Ac formae magnorum luporum, V.—A fine form, beauty: formae mores consimiles, T.: formae gloria, S.: Di tibi formam dederant, H.: formarum spectator, of beauties, T.: potens, a beauty, Pr.— An outline, plan, design, sketch: cum formam viderim, quale aedificium futurum sit, scire possum.— A model, pattern, stamp: pecuniae, Ta.: Si scalpra et formas non sutor (emat), lasts, H.—Fig., shape, form, nature, manner, kind: totius rei p.: quasi formae dicendi: forma et species tyranni: redacta in formam provinciae, condition, Ta.: scelerum formae, V.—In philos., a sort, kind: Genus et formam definire: eius (generis) duae formae.
Origins
Unknown. Perhaps from an Etruscan *morma, from Ancient Greek μορφή (morphḗ, “shape, fashion, appearance, outward form, contour, figure”), with dissimilation *m-m > *f-m, as seen in formīca (“ant”) and formīdō (“ghost, scarecrow”).
Descendants
- Catalanforma
- Italianforma
- Occitanforma
- Frenchfourmefrom Occitan forma
- Portugueseformafrom Old Galician-Portuguese forma
- Sardinianforma
- Spanishhorma
- Frenchformefrom Old French forme
- Englishformfrom Old French forme
- Englishformefrom Old French forme