form

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”

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

“sculpture is a form of art”

“what kinds of desserts are there?”

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”

any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

“he could barely make out their shapes”

alternative names for the body of a human being

“Leonardo studied the human body”

“he has a strong physique”

“the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak”

the spatial arrangement of something as distinct from its substance

“geometry is the mathematical science of shape”

create (as an entity)

“social groups form everywhere”

“They formed a company”

to compose or represent

“This wall forms the background of the stage setting”

“The branches made a roof”

“This makes a fine introduction”

develop into a distinctive entity

“our plans began to take shape”

give shape or form to

“shape the dough”

“form the young child's character”

make something, usually for a specific function

“She molded the rice balls carefully”

“Form cylinders from the dough”

“shape a figure”

“Work the metal into a sword”

establish or impress firmly in the mind

“We imprint our ideas onto our children”