formalism

for·mal·ism

 (fôr′mə-lĭz′əm)

n.

1. Rigorous or excessive adherence to recognized forms, as in religion or art.

2. An instance of rigorous or excessive adherence to recognized forms.

3. A method of aesthetic analysis that emphasizes structural elements and artistic techniques rather than content, especially in literary works.

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for′mal·ist adj. & n.

for′mal·is′tic adj.

for′mal·is′ti·cal·ly adv.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

formalism

(ˈfɔːməˌlɪzəm)

n

1. (Ecclesiastical Terms) scrupulous or excessive adherence to outward form at the expense of inner reality or content

2. (Logic)

a. the mathematical or logical structure of a scientific argument as distinguished from its subject matter

b. the notation, and its structure, in which information is expressed

3. (Theatre) theatre a stylized mode of production

4. (Philosophy) (in Marxist criticism) excessive concern with artistic technique at the expense of social values, etc

5. (Philosophy) the philosophical theory that a mathematical statement has no meaning but that its symbols, regarded as physical objects, exhibit a structure that has useful applications. Compare logicism, intuitionism

ˈformalist n

ˌformalˈistic adj

ˌformalˈistically adv

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

for•mal•ism

(ˈfɔr məˌlɪz əm)

n.

strict observance of prescribed or traditional forms, as in music, poetry, and art.

[1830–40]

for′mal•ist, n., adj.

for`mal•is′tic, adj.

for`mal•is′ti•cal•ly, adv.

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

formalism

a critical emphasis upon style, arrangement, and artistic means with limited attention to content, — formalist, n. — formalistic, adj.

See also: Criticism

-Ologies & -Isms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	formalism - the doctrine that formal structure rather than content is what should be represented doctrine, ism, philosophical system, philosophy, school of thought - a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school imitation - the doctrine that representations of nature or human behavior should be accurate imitations
	2.	formalism - (philosophy) the philosophical theory that formal (logical or mathematical) statements have no meaning but that its symbols (regarded as physical entities) exhibit a form that has useful applications philosophy - the rational investigation of questions about existence and knowledge and ethics philosophical doctrine, philosophical theory - a doctrine accepted by adherents to a philosophy
	3.	formalism - the practice of scrupulous adherence to prescribed or external forms practice, pattern - a customary way of operation or behavior; "it is their practice to give annual raises"; "they changed their dietary pattern"

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

Translations

formalismo

formalism

[ˈfɔːməlɪzəm] N → formalismo m

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

formalism

[ˈfɔː^rməlɪzəm] n → formalisme m

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

formalism

n → Formalismus m

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

formalism

[ˈfɔːməˌlɪz/əm] n → formalismo

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995