Adjacent Words

Formula definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

FORM'ULA,'ULE, n. [L.]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a group of symbols that make a mathematical statement [syn: formula, expression]
2: directions for making something [syn: recipe, formula]
3: a conventionalized statement expressing some fundamental principle
4: a representation of a substance using symbols for its constituent elements [syn: formula, chemical formula]
5: something regarded as a normative example; "the convention of not naming the main character"; "violence is the rule not the exception"; "his formula for impressing visitors" [syn: convention, normal, pattern, rule, formula]
6: a liquid food for infants
7: (mathematics) a standard procedure for solving a class of mathematical problems; "he determined the upper bound with Descartes' rule of signs"; "he gave us a general formula for attacking polynomials" [syn: rule, formula]

Merriam Webster's

I. noun (plural -las or formulae) Etymology: Latin, diminutive of forma form Date: 1618 1. a. a set form of words for use in a ceremony or ritual b. a conventionalized statement intended to express some fundamental truth or principle especially as a basis for negotiation or action 2. a. (1) recipe (2) prescription b. a milk mixture or substitute for feeding an infant 3. a. a general fact, rule, or principle expressed in usually mathematical symbols b. a symbolic expression of the chemical composition or constitution of a substance c. a group of symbols (as letters and numbers) associated to express facts or data (as the number and kinds of teeth in the jaw) concisely d. a combination of signs in a logical calculus 4. a customary or set form or method allowing little room for originality • formulaic adjective • formulaically adverb II. adjective Date: 1951 of, relating to, or being an open-wheel open-cockpit rear-engine racing car conforming to prescribed specifications as to size, weight, and engine displacement

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. (pl. formulas or (esp. in senses 1, 2) formulae) 1 Chem. a set of chemical symbols showing the constituents of a substance and their relative proportions. 2 Math. a mathematical rule expressed in symbols. 3 a a fixed form of words, esp. one used on social or ceremonial occasions. b a rule unintelligently or slavishly followed; an established or conventional usage. c a form of words embodying or enabling agreement, resolution of a dispute, etc. 4 a a list of ingredients; a recipe. b US an infant's food made up from a recipe. 5 a classification of racing car, esp. by the engine capacity. Derivatives: formulaic adj. formularize v.tr. (also -ise). formulize v.tr. (also -ise). Etymology: L, dimin. of forma FORM

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Formula For"mu*la, n.; pl. E. Formulas, L. Formul[ae]. [L., dim. of forma form, model. SeeForm, n.] 1. A prescribed or set form; an established rule; a fixed or conventional method in which anything is to be done, arranged, or said. 2. (Eccl.) A written confession of faith; a formal statement of foctrines. 3. (Math.) A rule or principle expressed in algebraic language; as, the binominal formula. 4. (Med.) A prescription or recipe for the preparation of a medicinal compound. 5. (Chem.) A symbolic expression (by means of letters, figures, etc.) of the constituents or constitution of a compound. Note: Chemical formul[ae] consist of the abbreviations of the names of the elements, with a small figure at the lower right hand, to denote the number of atoms of each element contained. Empirical formula (Chem.), an expression which gives the simple proportion of the constituents; as, the empirical formula of acetic acid is C2H4O2. Graphic formula, Rational formula (Chem.), an expression of the constitution, and in a limited sense of the structure, of a compound, by the grouping of its atoms or radicals; as, a rational formula of acetic acid is CH3.(C:O).OH; -- called also structural formula, constitutional formula, etc. See also the formula of Benzene nucleus, under Benzene. Molecular formula (Chem.), a formula indicating the supposed molecular constitution of a compound.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(formulae, or formulas) Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English. 1. A formula is a plan that is invented in order to deal with a particular problem. It is difficult to imagine how the North and South could ever agree on a formula to unify the divided peninsula. ...a peace formula. N-COUNT: usu with supp 2. A formula for a particular situation, usually a good one, is a course of action or a combination of actions that is certain or likely to result in that situation. Clever exploitation of the latest technology would be a sure formula for success... = recipe N-SING: N for n 3. A formula is a group of letters, numbers, or other symbols which represents a scientific or mathematical rule. He developed a mathematical formula describing the distances of the planets from the Sun. N-COUNT 4. In science, the formula for a substance is a list of the amounts of various substances which make up that substance, or an indication of the atoms that it is composed of. N-COUNT 5. Formula is a powder which you mix with water to make artificial milk for babies. ...bottles of formula.

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. Form, rule, model, formulary.

Moby Thesaurus

MO, Procrustean law, a priori truth, act, addend, antilogarithm, argument, axiom, base, bill, binomial, blueprint, brocard, bylaw, canon, ceremonial, ceremony, characteristic, code, coefficient, combination, commandment, complement, congruence, constant, convention, cosine, cotangent, criterion, cube, decimal, decree, denominator, derivative, determinant, dictate, dictation, dictum, difference, differential, directions, discriminate, dividend, divisor, duty, e, edict, enactment, equation, exponent, exponential, factor, form, form of worship, formality, formulary, function, general principle, golden rule, guideline, guiding principle, holy rite, i, imperative, increment, index, institution, instructions, integral, jus, law, law of nature, legislation, lex, liturgy, matrix, maxim, means, measure, method, minuend, mitzvah, mode of worship, modus operandi, moral, multiple, multiplier, mystery, norm, norma, numerator, observance, office, order of nature, order of worship, ordinance, ordonnance, parameter, pattern, permutation, pi, polynomial, postulate, power, practice, prescribed form, prescript, prescription, principium, principle, procedure, proposition, quaternion, quotient, radical, radix, receipt, recipe, reciprocal, regulation, remainder, rite, ritual, ritual observance, rituality, root, rubric, rule, ruling, sacrament, sacramental, secant, self-evident truth, service, set form, settled principle, sine, solemnity, standard, standing order, statute, submultiple, subtrahend, tangent, technique, tenet, tensor, theorem, truism, truth, universal law, universal truth, variable, vector, versine, way, working principle, working rule