n. the spatial arrangement of something as distinct from its substance; "geometry is the mathematical science of shape"

n. a particular mode in which something is manifested; "his resentment took the form of extreme hostility"

n. a mold for setting concrete; "they built elaborate forms for pouring the foundation"

n. a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality; "sculpture is a form of art"; "what kinds of desserts are there?"

n. a perceptual structure; "the composition presents problems for students of musical form"; "a visual pattern must include not only objects but the spaces between them"

n. the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something; "the inflected forms of a word can be represented by a stem and a list of inflections to be attached"

n. an arrangement of the elements in a composition or discourse; "the essay was in the form of a dialogue"; "he first sketches the plot in outline form"

n. (biology) a group of organisms within a species that differ in trivial ways from similar groups; "a new strain of microorganisms"

n. a body of students who are taught together; "early morning classes are always sleepy"

n. (physical chemistry) a distinct state of matter in a system; matter that is identical in chemical composition and physical state and separated from other material by the phase boundary; "the reaction occurs in the liquid phase of the system"

n. [the particular shape of a thing or a person]

v. give shape or form to; "shape the dough"; "form the young child's character"

v. assume a form or shape; "the water formed little beads"

v. establish or impress firmly in the mind; "We imprint our ideas onto our children"

v. create (as an entity); "social groups form everywhere"; "They formed a company"

v. to compose or represent:"This wall forms the background of the stage setting"; "The branches made a roof"; "This makes a fine introduction"

v. develop into a distinctive entity; "our plans began to take shape"