Bad form

Form \Form\ (f[=o]rm; in senses 8 & 9, often f[=o]rm in
   England), n. [OE. & F. forme, fr. L. forma; cf. Skr.
   dhariman. Cf. {Firm}.]
   1. The shape and structure of anything, as distinguished from
      the material of which it is composed; particular
      disposition or arrangement of matter, giving it
      individuality or distinctive character; configuration;
      figure; external appearance.
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            The form of his visage was changed.   --Dan. iii.
                                                  19.
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            And woven close close, both matter, form, and style.
                                                  --Milton.
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   2. Constitution; mode of construction, organization, etc.;
      system; as, a republican form of government.
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   3. Established method of expression or practice; fixed way of
      proceeding; conventional or stated scheme; formula; as, a
      form of prayer.
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            Those whom form of laws
            Condemned to die.                     --Dryden.
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   4. Show without substance; empty, outside appearance; vain,
      trivial, or conventional ceremony; conventionality;
      formality; as, a matter of mere form.
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            Though well we may not pass upon his life
            Without the form of justice.          --Shak.
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   5. Orderly arrangement; shapeliness; also, comeliness;
      elegance; beauty.
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            The earth was without form and void.  --Gen. i. 2.
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            He hath no form nor comeliness.       --Is. liii. 2.
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   6. A shape; an image; a phantom.
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   7. That by which shape is given or determined; mold; pattern;
      model.
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   8. A long seat; a bench; hence, a rank of students in a
      school; a class; also, a class or rank in society. "Ladies
      of a high form." --Bp. Burnet.
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   9. The seat or bed of a hare.
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            As in a form sitteth a weary hare.    --Chaucer.
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   10. (Print.) The type or other matter from which an
       impression is to be taken, arranged and secured in a
       chase.
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   11. (Fine Arts) The boundary line of a material object. In
       (painting), more generally, the human body.
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   12. (Gram.) The particular shape or structure of a word or
       part of speech; as, participial forms; verbal forms.
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   13. (Crystallog.) The combination of planes included under a
       general crystallographic symbol. It is not necessarily a
       closed solid.
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   14. (Metaph.) That assemblage or disposition of qualities
       which makes a conception, or that internal constitution
       which makes an existing thing to be what it is; -- called
       essential or substantial form, and contradistinguished
       from matter; hence, active or formative nature; law of
       being or activity; subjectively viewed, an idea;
       objectively, a law.
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   15. Mode of acting or manifestation to the senses, or the
       intellect; as, water assumes the form of ice or snow. In
       modern usage, the elements of a conception furnished by
       the mind's own activity, as contrasted with its object or
       condition, which is called the matter; subjectively, a
       mode of apprehension or belief conceived as dependent on
       the constitution of the mind; objectively, universal and
       necessary accompaniments or elements of every object
       known or thought of.
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   16. (Biol.) The peculiar characteristics of an organism as a
       type of others; also, the structure of the parts of an
       animal or plant.
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   {Good form} or {Bad form}, the general appearance, condition
      or action, originally of horses, afterwards of persons;
      as, the members of a boat crew are said to be in good form
      when they pull together uniformly. The phrases are further
      used colloquially in description of conduct or manners in
      society; as, it is not good form to smoke in the presence
      of a lady.
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