1. the doctrine that formal structure rather than content is what should be represented (Freq. 2) • Ant: imitation • Derivationally related forms: formalistic • Hypernyms: doctrine, philosophy, philosophical system, school of thought, ism 2.(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 • Derivationally related forms: formalistic • Topics: philosophy • Hypernyms: philosophical doctrine, philosophical theory 3. the practice of scrupulous adherence to prescribed or external forms • Derivationally related forms: formalistic • Hypernyms: practice, pattern
