conformal

[ kuhn-fawr-muhl ]

/ kənˈfɔr məl /

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adjective

of, relating to, or noting a map or transformation in which angles and scale are preserved.

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Origin of conformal

First recorded in 1640–50, conformal is from the Late Latin word confōrmālis of the same shape. See con-, formal¹

Words nearby conformal

confluent, confocal, confocal microscope, conform, conformable, conformal, conformal projection, conformance, conformation, conformational analysis, conformist

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use conformal in a sentence

Many-worlds quantum theory gives a new twist on conformal cyclic cosmology, though not one that Penrose agrees with.
How Could the Big Bang Arise From Nothing?|Alastair Wilson|January 9, 2022|Singularity Hub
The powerful symmetry, known as conformal invariance, is actually a package of three separate symmetries that are all wrapped up within it.
Mathematicians Prove Symmetry of Phase Transitions|Allison Whitten|July 8, 2021|Quanta Magazine
As another illustration we may take the conformal representation of an equilateral triangle upon a half plane.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 3|Various
Such surfaces are capable of a conformal representation on a plane, by which geodesics are represented by straight lines.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 6|Various

British Dictionary definitions for conformal

conformal

/ (kənˈfɔːməl) /

adjective

maths

(of a transformation) preserving the angles of the depicted surface
(of a parameter) relating to such a transformation

Also called: orthomorphic (of a map projection) maintaining true shape over a small area and scale in every direction

Word Origin for conformal

C17: from Late Latin conformālis having the same shape, from Latin com- same + forma shape

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for conformal

conformal

[ kən-fôr′məl ]

Relating to the mapping of a surface or region onto another surface so that all angles between intersecting curves remain unchanged.

Relating to a map projection in which small areas are rendered with true shape.