1. The outer shape or structure of something, as distinguished from its substance or matter (courts are generally less concerned about defects in form than defects in substance).
2. Established behavior or procedure, usu. according to custom or rule (the prosecutor followed the established form in her closing argument).
3. A model; a sample; an example (attorneys often draft pleadings by using a form instead of starting from scratch).
4. The customary method of drafting legal documents, usu. with fixed words, phrases, and sentences (Jones prepared the contract merely by following the state bar’s form).
5. A legal document with blank spaces to be filled in by the drafter (the divorce lawyer used printed forms that a secretary could fill in).
