FORMAL'ITY, n. 1. The practice or observance of forms.Formalities of extraordinary zeal and piety are never more studied and elaborate then in desperate designs.2. Ceremony; mere conformity to customary modes.Nor was his attendance on divine offices a matter of formality and custom, but of conscience.3. Established order; rule of proceeding; mode; method; as the formalities of judicial process; formalities of law.4. Order; decorum to be observed; customary mode of behavior.5. Customary mode of dress; habit; robe.6. External appearance.7. Essence; the quality which constitutes a thing what it is.The formality of the vow lies in the promise made to God.8. In the schools, the manner in which a thing is conceived; or a manner in an object, importing a relation to the understanding, by which it may be distinguished from another object. Thus animality and rationality are formalities.
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