Obs. Forms: 4 forma-, formelich(e, -ly, 5 fourmely. [f. FORM sb. + -liche, -LY2.] In proper form; also, with regard to the ‘form’ or essential nature; = FORMALLY.

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c. 1374.  Chaucer, Boeth., V. pr. iv. 128 (Camb. MS.). It bi-holdeth alle thingis so as I shal seye bi a strok of thogth formely [L. formaliter] with-owte discours or collation.

            Ibid., Troylus, IV. 469 (497).
O where hastow ben hid so longe in muwe,
That canst so wel and formely [v.r. formaly] arguwe?

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1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. XV. 366.

        For is none of þis newe clerkes · who so nymeth hede,
Þat can versifye faire · ne formalich [C. XVIII. 109, formeliche] enditen.

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1470.  Fortescue, in Gov. England (1885), 350. How the lawe may be fourmely kepte and refourmed ther as it is defectife.

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