formalist
|for-mal-ist|
🇺🇸
/ˈfɔːrməlɪst/
🇬🇧
/ˈfɔːməlɪst/
emphasis on form
Etymology
'formalist' originates from English, specifically formed from 'formal' + the suffix '-ist', where 'formal' comes from Latin 'formalis' meaning 'of form' and the suffix '-ist' (from Greek 'istēs' via Latin/French) meant 'one who practices or is concerned with'.
'formalist' developed from the adjective 'formal' plus the agent-forming suffix '-ist' in the late 19th to early 20th century (in discussions of art, literature, and criticism) and eventually became the established modern English noun/adjective 'formalist'.
Initially, it meant 'one who emphasizes form or formal qualities'; over time it has retained that core sense but broadened to refer both to proponents of formalism and to describe approaches that prioritize form over content.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who adheres to formalism — who emphasizes form, structure, or rules over content or context (especially in art, literature, criticism, or law).
The critic dismissed him as a formalist who cared more about structure than meaning.
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Adjective 1
relating to or characteristic of formalism; focusing on form, structure, or rules rather than content or context.
The architect adopted a formalist approach to the renovation, prioritizing proportions and symmetry.
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Last updated: 2025/11/09 18:15