formalism

(fôrməl iz′əm)

noun

  1. strict or excessive attention to or insistence on outward forms, as in art, or established traditions, as in religion
  2. an instance of this

Related Forms:

See formalism in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. Rigorous or excessive adherence to recognized forms, as in religion or art.
  2. An instance of rigorous or excessive adherence to recognized forms.
  3. A method of aesthetic analysis that emphasizes structural elements and artistic techniques rather than content, especially in literary works.

Related Forms:

  • forˈmal·ist adjective & n.
  • forˌmal·isˈtic adjective
  • forˌmal·isˈti·cal·ly adverb

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