Present participle of form; the process of creating, shaping, or bringing something into existence. Can refer to physical shaping or the development of abstract concepts.
From Latin forma meaning 'shape' or 'figure,' through Old French forme. The verb 'to form' entered English in the 13th century, originally referring to physical shaping but expanding to include abstract creation and development.
The process of forming happens at every scale in the universe - from galaxies forming in space to habits forming in our brains! The word captures both deliberate creation and natural processes of development and organization.
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