n. [ Formic + aldehyde + -in. ] (Chem.) An aqueous solution of formaldehyde, used as a preservative in museums and as a disinfectant. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. The practice or the doctrine of strict adherence to, or dependence on, external forms, esp. in matters of religion. [ 1913 Webster ]

Official formalism. Sir H. Rawlinson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. formaliste. ] One overattentive to forms, or too much confined to them; esp., one who rests in external religious forms, or observes strictly the outward forms of worship, without possessing the life and spirit of religion. [ 1913 Webster ]

As far a formalist from wisdom sits,
In judging eyes, as libertines from wits. Young. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a set of procedures required to make a transaction official.
Syn. -- form, formality. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n.; pl. Formalities [ Cf. F. formalité. ] 1. The condition or quality of being formal, strictly ceremonious, precise, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Form without substance. [ 1913 Webster ]

Such [ books ] as are mere pieces of formality, so that if you look on them, you look though them. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Compliance with formal or conventional rules; ceremony; conventionality. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nor was his attendance on divine offices a matter of formality and custom, but of conscience. Atterbury. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. An established order; conventional rule of procedure; usual method; habitual mode. [ 1913 Webster ]

He was installed with all the usual formalities. C. Middleton. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. pl. The dress prescribed for any body of men, academical, municipal, or sacerdotal. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The doctors attending her in their formalities as far as Shotover. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. That which is formal; the formal part. [ 1913 Webster ]

It unties the inward knot of marriage, . . . while it aims to keep fast the outward formality. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. The quality which makes a thing what it is; essence. [ 1913 Webster ]

The material part of the evil came from our father upon us, but the formality of it, the sting and the curse, is only by ourselves. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

The formality of the vow lies in the promise made to God. Bp. Stillingfleet. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. (Scholastic. Philos.) The manner in which a thing is conceived or constituted by an act of human thinking; the result of such an act; as, animality and rationality are formalities. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Formalized p. pr. & vb. n. Formalizing ] 1. To give form, or a certain form, to; to model. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To render formal. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To affect formality. [ Obs. ] ales. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. concerned with or characterized by rigorous adherence to recognized forms, especially in religion or art; using formalism; as, highly formalized plays like "Waiting for Godot".
Syn. -- formalistic. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. given formal standing or endorsement; made official or legitimate by the observance of proper procedures. official (vs. unofficial) --- (having official authority or sanction: "official permission"; "an official representative") [ WordNet 1.5 ]