something belonging to or constituting the form of a thing. See Form.

FORMALITY, the quality of a form, or formula; or that which constitutes and denominates them such.

Formality, as defined in the schools, is any manner wherein a thing is conceived; or a manner in any object, importing a relation to the understanding, whereby it may be distinguished from another object. Thus, animality and rationality are formalities. The Scottists make great use of formalities, in opposition to the virtualities of the Thomists.