late 14c., "pertaining to form or arrangement;" also, in philosophy and theology, "pertaining to the form or essence of a thing," from Old French formal, formel "formal, constituent" (13c.) and directly from Latin formalis, from forma "a form, figure, shape" (see form (n.)). From early 15c. as "in due or proper form, according to recognized form," As a noun, c. 1600 (plural) "things that are formal;" as a short way to say formal dance, recorded by 1906 among U.S. college students.
例文
1. A formal contract is signed which is renewable annually.
は、毎年更新可能な契約を正式に締結した。
2.Despite its lack of formal power the nobility was not powerless.
正式な権力はないが、貴族層に権勢がないわけではない。
3.They decided to put their relationship on a more formal footing.
彼らは正式に付き合うことにした。
4.His wife made no secret of her hatred for the formal occasions.
彼の妻は、それらの儀礼的な場合を嫌うことを公言している。
5.There is no formal linkage between the two agreements.