different between formless vs nondescript

English

Etymology

From form +? -less.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?f??ml?s/

Adjective

formless (comparative more formless, superlative most formless)

1. Without form; shapeless.
   • 1985: Now the earth was a formless void, there was darkness over the deep, with a divine wind sweeping over the waters. — Genesis 1:2 (New Jerusalem Bible)
2. (not comparable) Without the use of forms or templates.
   • 2002, Christopher Tacke, Timothy Bassett, Embedded Visual Basic: Windows CE and Pocket PC Mobile Applications

     You'll be prompted with the New Project dialog (see Figure 1.11) from which you'll have at least two types of projects from which to choose: Windows CE for the Pocket PC Project and Windows CE Formless project.

Synonyms

• (shapeless): amorphous, shapeless; see also Thesaurus:amorphous

Translations

English

Etymology

From non- +? descript.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?n?nd?sk??pt/
• (US) IPA^(key): /n?nd?s?k??pt/

Adjective

nondescript (comparative more nondescript, superlative most nondescript)

1. (biology, now rare) Not described (in the academic literature).

   Synonyms: undescribed, unidentified

2. Without distinguishing qualities or characteristics.

   Synonym: unexceptional

Translations

Noun

nondescript (plural nondescripts)

1. (chiefly biology) A species or other type of creature that has not been previously described or identified. [from 17th c.]
   • 1791, Thomas Paine, Rights of Man:

     Imagination has given figure and character to centaurs, satyrs, and down to all the fairy tribe; but titles baffle even the powers of fancy, and are a chimerical non-descript.

2. An undistinguished, unexceptional person or thing. [from 18th c.]
3. (Britain) An unmarked police car.
   • 1970, Peter Laurie, Scotland Yard: a study of the Metropolitan Police (page 118)

     By a nice British compromise, the enforcement car — visible just then as a white spot on the television screen — has nothing externally to show its police affiliation, but unlike the CID's nondescripts, carries two large policemen in uniform.

Anagrams

• nonscripted