n. In general, a prescribed form or rule; a fixed or conventional method in which anything is to be done, arranged, or said; particularly, a form of words in which something is required by rule or custom to be stated.n. Specifically Eccles., a written confession of faith; a formal enunciation or statement of doctrines. See creed, and confession of faith, under confession, 3.n. In mathematics, any general equation; a rule or principle expressed in algebraic symbols.n. In chem., an expression by means of symbols and figures of the constituents of a compound. See chemical formula, under chemical.n. See the qualifying words.n. See the adjectives.n. various algebraic formulæ devised by the authors whose names are given, to express the quantity of flow of water in term's of length, depth, etc., in a measuring-device.n. where , and of any triangle.n. The phalangeal formula is 2, 3, 4, 5, 4.n. Osborn, The Reptilian Subclasses Diapsida and Synapsida.