a matter of form



a matter of form

That which is done for the sake of procedure, formality, appearances, or the accepted norm, often implying a lack of usefulness or necessity. I know we already covered the chapter on social economics last week, but as a matter of form, let's review its key points before beginning today's lecture. The doctors weren't too worried about her illness, but as a matter of form they decided to keep her in the hospital overnight.
See also: form, matter, of

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Aladdinə-LAD-in (English)Literature
Rowena[rəu'i:nə]
GottholdGAWT-hawltGerman
NikoNEE-ko (Finnish)Finnish, Croatian, Slovene
DilŞAd-Kurdish
IslaIE-ləScottish