pro-form

[ proh-fawrm ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Grammar.

a word used to replace or substitute for a word, phrase, or clause belonging to a given grammatical class, as a pronoun used to replace a noun or noun phrase, there used to replace an adverb or adverbial phrase of place, as in I parked the car near the entrance and left it there, or so used to substitute for a clause, as in Have they come? I think so.

pro-form

a word having grammatical function but assuming the meaning of an antecedent word or phrase for which it substitutes
the word ``does'' is a pro-form for ``understands Greek'' in ``I can't understand Greek but he does''

First recorded in 1960–65

He accordingly sent in his request to the Elector, which he considered a mere pro-form matter.

He then suspended the magistrates pro form, and spoke of sending for troops to catch the rioters!

He got his twelve strokes pro form, after which they fell into each others arms perfectly happy.

The captain enters the room and pro form asks whether there are "any complaints?"

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