a. and sb. [ad. L. type *formulār-is, f. FORMULA. As sb., a. F. formulaire. See -AR1, 2.] A. adj.
1. Formal, correct or regular in form.
1773. Johnson, in Boswell, 29 April. A speech on the stage, let it flatter ever so extravagantly, is formular. It has always been formular to flatter Kings and Queens.
2. Pertaining to formulæ; formulary.
1880. Muirhead, Gaius, III. § 180, note. Under the formular system … in use in the classical period.
B. sb. A prescribed or set form, formulary; hence, a model, type. ? Obs.
1563. Abp. Parker, Corresp. (1853), 183. Before I received a letter from you, I had of mine own head moved my lord of London to bethink himself of some formular of common prayer; who hath so done.
1578. Sir H. Sydney, in Lett. & Mem. State (1746), I. 246. Imitate hys Vertues, Exercyses, Studyes, and Accyons; he ys a rare Ornament to thys Age, the very Formular, that all well dysposed young Gentylmen of ouer Court, do form allsoe thear Maners and Lyfe by.
1603. Florio, Montaigne, III. ix. (1632), 564. Before I had ever seene any, I would have beene glad to have had but a paterne or formular of one.
a. 1734. North, Exam., III. vi. § 20 (1740), 437. The Liturgy must be deprived of all the primitive Formulars.
