Main Entry:

for·mal·ism

Pronunciation:

\ˈfȯr-mə-ˌli-zəm\

Function:

noun

Date:

1839

1: the practice or the doctrine of strict adherence to prescribed or external forms (as in religion or art) ; also : an instance of this2: marked attention to arrangement, style, or artistic means (as in art or literature) usually with corresponding de-emphasis of content

— for·mal·ist \-list\ noun or adjective

— for·mal·is·tic \ˌfȯr-mə-ˈlis-tik\ adjective