† difformity Obs.
(dɪˈfɔːmɪtɪ)
[a. F. difformité (1520 in Hatz.-Darm.), ad. med.L. difformitās, f. difformis differing in form: see difform a.]
1. Difference or diversity of form; want of uniformity between things.
| 1530 Palsgr. Introd. 18 To avoyde all maner difformyte. 1580 Hollyband Treas. Fr. Tong, Absurdité, difformitie, vnlikenesse. c 1630 Jackson Creed iv. ii. v. Wks. III. 273 This difformity was most apparent in their works..for destitute of all good works most of them were not, but only of uniformity in working. 1646 Jer. Taylor Extemp. Prayer (T.), There must [thus] needs be infinite difformity in the publick worship. 1748 Hartley Observ. Man i. i. 17 The Difformity of Texture. 1857 Webb Intellectualism Locke vii. 126 Locke..resolves all knowledge into a perception of the ‘conformity’ or ‘difformity’ of Ideas. |
2. Divergence in form from, want of conformity with or to (a standard).
| 1565 T. Stapleton Fortr. Faith 138 b (T.), In respect of uniformity with the primitive church, as of difformity. 1640 P. du Moulin Lett. Fr. Prot. to Scotchm. Covt. 4 Among all the reformed Churches..there is neither deformity nor difformity in that point. 1641 Maisterton Serm. 7 To judge of their conformity or difformity thereunto. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. i. xi. 48 They..doe tacitely desire in them a difformitie from the primitive rule. 1677 Gale Crt. Gentiles iv. 45 In their conformitie to..or difformitie from..the perfect measure of morals. |