1630s, "words used in a ceremony or ritual" (earlier as a Latin word in English), from Latin formula "form, draft, contract, regulation;" in law, "a rule, method;" literally "small form," diminutive of forma "form" (see form (n.)). Modern sense is colored by Carlyle's use (1837) of the word in a sense of "rule slavishly followed without understanding" [OED]. From 1706 as "a prescription, a recipe;" mathematical use is from 1796; chemistry sense is from 1842. In motor racing, "class or specification of a car" (usually by engine size), 1927.
双语例句
1. There is no magic formula for producing winning products.
获奖电影的制作没有捷径可取。
来自柯林斯例句
2. The foreign ministers have thrashed out a suitable compromise formula.
外交部长们经过反复讨论，已经制订出合适的折中方案。
来自柯林斯例句
3. They have thrashed out a compromise formula acceptable to Moscow.
他们经过讨论达成了一项莫斯科可以接受的折中方案。
来自柯林斯例句
4. It is a formula that worked very well indeed.
这的确是一套很管用的方案。
来自柯林斯例句
5. There is still no guarantee that a formula could be found.
