configuration

[kuhn-fig-yuh-rey-shuhn]

noun

1. the relative disposition or arrangement of the parts or elements of a thing.

2. external form, as resulting from this; conformation.

3. Astronomy.

   1. the relative position or aspect of heavenly bodies.

   2. a group of stars.

4. Chemistry.,  an atomic spatial arrangement that is fixed by the chemical bonding in a molecule and that cannot be altered without breaking bonds (conformation ).

5. Computers.

   1. the way a computer or computer system is put together; a specific set and arrangement of internal and external components, including hardware, software, and devices.

   2. the way a software program or device is set up for a particular computer, computer system, or task; the specific settings for a program or device.

      configuration of your email program to work with your new ISP.

configuration

/ kənˌfɪɡjʊˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. the arrangement of the parts of something

2. the external form or outline achieved by such an arrangement

3. physics chem

   1. Also called: conformation. the shape of a molecule as determined by the arrangement of its atoms

   2. the structure of an atom or molecule as determined by the arrangement of its electrons and nucleons

4. psychol the unit or pattern in perception studied by Gestalt psychologists

5. computing the particular choice of hardware items and their interconnection that make up a particular computer system

Other Word Forms

• configurational adjective
• configurative adjective
• configurationally adverb
• preconfiguration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of configuration¹

1550–60; < Late Latin configūrātiōn- (stem of configūrātiō ), equivalent to Latin configūrāt ( us ) shaped like its model, past participle of configūrāre to mold, shape ( con- con- + figūr ( a ) figure + -ātus -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of configuration¹

C16: from Late Latin configūrātiō a similar formation, from configūrāre to model on something, from figūrāre to shape, fashion

Example Sentences

Any physical substance that can reliably switch between two different, stable configurations can in principle serve as a storage platform for that binary information.

Read more on Science Daily

Postdoctoral researcher Dr. Mojtaba Zabihi, the study's first author, explains that room configurations and existing heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems can differ widely.

Read more on Science Daily

And they could be easily arranged in a much broader range of configurations.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Hidden behind each protruding eye are two long, spiraled optic nerves -- a configuration not documented in any other lizard species.

Read more on Science Daily

Officials said several of the weapons found appeared to have been modified from their state-compliant configuration, and one short-barreled rifle without serial numbers was found in the attic during the search.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• composition 
• contour 
• shape 
• structure