Lexical Definition

‎μορφή‎ morphḗ (mor-fay') form ^G:N-F
perhaps from the base of ‎μέρος‎ (through the idea of adjustment of parts)

form.

• shape
• figuratively, nature

Abbott-Smith

μορφή, -ῆς, ἡ, [in LXX: Jg 8:18 A (תֹּאַר), Jb 4:16 (תְּמוּנָה), Is 44:13 (תַּבְנִית), Da LXX 3:19 (צְלֵם), Da TH 4:33* 5:6, 9, 10 7:28 (זִיו), To 1:13, Wi 18:1, IV Mac 15:4*;]
form, shape, appearance (Hom., Eur., Æsch., al.); in philos. lang. the specific character or essential form (Arist., v. Gifford, Inc., 26 ff.): 12], Phl 2:6, 7.†
SYN.: μόρφωσις, the outline, delineation, semblance of the μορφή, as distinct from the μ. itself (Lft., Notes, 262); σχῆμα, shape, fashion, disting. from μορφή as the outward and accidental from the inward and essential (cf. Tr., Syn., § LXX; Lft., Phl., 125 ff.; Gifford., Inc., 126 ff.).

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

μορφή-ή, ἡ,

form, shape, twice in [μορφήὴ ἐπέων">Refs 8th c.BC+] thou hast comeliness of words, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; so probably ἄλλος μὲν.. εἶδος ἀκιδνότερος πέλει ἀνήρ, ἀλλὰ θεὸς μορφήὴν ἔπεσι στέφει God adds a crown of shapeliness to his words, [μορφήὰς δύο ὀνομάζειν 4th-5th c.BC: Parmenides Poeta Philosophus 8.53; μορφήὴν ἀλλάξαντα 5th c.BC: Empedocles Poeta Philosophus 137.1; μορφήὰν βραχύς 5th c.BC: Pindarus Lyricus “I.” 4(3).53 ">Refs 8th c.BC+]; μορφήῆς μέτρα shape and size, [μορφήῆς φύσις 4th-5th c.BC: Aeschylus Tragicus “Supplices” 496 ">Refs 5th c.BC+]; μορφήῆς σχῆμα, τύπωμα, [μορφήήν 4th c.BC: Aristoteles Philosophus “de Partibus Animalium” 640b34; καὶ Γαῖα, πολλῶν ὀνομάτων μ. μία 4th-5th c.BC: Aeschylus Tragicus “Prometheus Vinctus” 212 ">Refs 5th c.BC+]; ὀνειράτων ἀλίγκιοι μορφήαῖσιν[μορφήάς [prev. author] “fragment” 312; προὔπεμψεν ἀντὶ φιλτάτης μ. σποδόν 5th c.BC: Sophocles Tragicus “Electra” 1159 ">Refs 5th c.BC+]; of plants, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; especially with reference to beauty of form, ὑπέρφατον μορφήᾷ [Refs 5th c.BC+]; οἷς ποτιστάξῃ χάρις εὐκλέα μ.[μορφήῆς ἐμῆς “OGI” 383.41 (Commagene, 1st c.BC); μορφήῆς εἰκόνας [prev. work]27; χαρακτῆρα μορφήῆς ἐμῆς [prev. work]60. ">Refs 5th c.BC+]

__2 generally, form, fashion, appearance, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; outward form, opposed to εἶδος, ἑκατέρω τῶ εἴδεος πολλαὶ μ. [μορφήάς 5th-6th c.BC: Plato Philosophus “Respublica” 380d; μ. θεῶν 5th-6th c.BC: Xenophon Historicus “Memorabilia” 4.3.13, cf. NT.Phil.2.6, 5th-6th c.AD: Damascius Philosophus “de Principiis” 304; ἡρώων εἴδεα καὶ μορφήάς 3rd c.BC: Apollonius Rhodius Epicus 4.1193 ">NT+5th c.BC+]; κατά τε μορφήὰς καὶ φωνάς gesticulations and cries, [Refs 1st c.BC+]; τὴν μ. μελάγχρους, τῇ μ. μελίχροας, in complexion, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]
__3 kind, sort, [Refs 5th c.BC+] (Possibly cognate with Latin forma for morg[uglide]hmā, with f by dissimilation, compare μύρμηξ.)

_{LSJ Scripture Refs: Phil.2.6}