n.
1.the doctrine that formal structure rather than content is what should be represented
2.(philosophy) the philosophical theory that formal (logical or mathematical) statements have no meaning but that its symbols (regarded as physical entities) exhibit a form that has useful applications
3.the practice of scrupulous adherence to prescribed or external forms
Idiom of the Day
set the world on fire
to do something outstanding, to do something that makes one famous
The author has not been able to set the world on fire with his writing but he is trying very hard.