format

format [fawr-mat] ExamplesWord Origin noun

1. the shape and size of a book as determined by the number of times the original sheet has been folded to form the leaves.Compare duodecimo, folio(def 2), octavo, quarto.
2. the general physical appearance of a book, magazine, or newspaper, such as the typeface, binding, quality of paper, margins, etc.
3. the organization, plan, style, or type of something: The format of the show allowed for topical and controversial gags.
4. Computers. the arrangement of data for computer input or output, such as the number and size of fields in a record or the spacing and punctuation of information in a report.

verb (used with object), for·mat·ted, for·mat·ting.

5. to plan or provide a format for: to format the annual telethon.
6. Computers.
   1. to set the format of (input or output): Some word-processing programs format output in a variety of ways.
   2. to prepare (a disk) for writing and reading.

verb (used without object), for·mat·ted, for·mat·ting.

7. to devise a format.

Origin of format 1830–40; French Latin (liber) fōrmātus (a book) formed (in a certain way)Related formsfor·mat·ter, nounpre·for·mat, verb (used with object), pre·for·mat·ted, pre·for·mat·ting.re·for·mat, verb, re·for·mat·ted, re·for·mat·ting. Examples from the Web for formatted Historical Examples of formatted

Any footnotes that were also sidenotes were formatted as sidenotes as that more nearly approximates the original format.

Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland (3 of 6): England (6 of 9)

Raphael Holinshed

The Technical Note has been formatted so you will not accidentally change anything in this paragraph.

The Cock, The Mouse and the Little Red Hen

Flicit Lefvre

British Dictionary definitions for formatted format noun

1. the general appearance of a publication, including type style, paper, binding, etc
2. an approximate indication of the size of a publication as determined by the number of times the original sheet of paper is folded to make a leafSee also duodecimo, quarto
3. style, plan, or arrangement, as of a television programme
4. computing
   1. the defined arrangement of data encoded in a file or for example on magnetic disk or CD-ROM, essential for the correct recording and recovery of data on different devices
   2. the arrangement of text on printed output or a display screen, or a coded description of such an arrangement

verb -mats, -matting or -matted (tr)

5. to arrange (a book, page, etc) into a specified format

Word Origin for format C19: via French from German, from Latin liber formātus volume formed Word Origin and History for formatted format n.

1840, via French format (18c.), ultimately from Modern Latin liber formatus “a book formed” (in such and such a way), referring to shape, size; from past participle of formare “to form” (see form (v.)).

format v.

used chiefly of computers, 1964, from format (n.). Related: Formatted; formatting.

formatted in Science format [fôr′măt′] Noun

1. The arrangement of data for storage or display.

Verb

1. To divide a disk into marked sectors so that it may store data.
2. To determine the arrangement of data for storage or display.