conformation

[kon-fawr-mey-shuhn]

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noun

manner of formation; structure; form, as of a physical entity.

symmetrical disposition or arrangement of parts.

the act or process of conforming; adaptation; adjustment.

the state of being conformed.

Chemistry. an atomic spatial arrangement that results from rotation of carbon atoms about single bonds within an organic molecule. (contrasted with configuration).

Origin of conformation

1505–15; < Latin confōrmātiōn- (stem of confōrmātiō), equivalent to confōrmāt(us) past participle of confōrmāre to shape (con- con- + fōrm(a) form + -āt(us) -ate¹) + -iōn- -ion

Related formscon·for·ma·tion·al, adjective

Synonyms for conformation

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR conformation ON THESAURUS.COM

1. configuration, shape.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for conformation

symmetry, figure, cast, frame, arrangement, anatomy, framework, form, build, formation, configuration, type, structure, outline

Examples from the Web for conformation

Contemporary Examples of conformation

Butters comes from a long line of show dogs and has the conformation that could have made him a big winner.
Meet Butters, the Christmas Dog Model
Michael Daly
December 25, 2013

Historical Examples of conformation

How can the vices of conformation be avoided, and beauty secured?
The Physical Life of Woman:
Dr. George H Napheys
Upon this conformation much of the delicacy of hearing depends.
The Physical Life of Woman:
Dr. George H Napheys
But unhappily, nature made a mistake in our conformation, and, alas!
Travels and Adventures of Monsieur Violet
Captain Marryat
Because his conformation makes him utter nothing but paradoxes.
The Bride of the Nile, Complete
Georg Ebers
He recognized the conformation of the land and knew what was coming.
The Motor Boys Overland
Clarence Young

British Dictionary definitions for conformation

conformation

noun

the general shape or outline of an object; configuration

the arrangement of the parts of an object

the act or state of conforming

chem

another name for configuration (def. 3a)
one of the configurations of a molecule that can easily change its shape and can consequently exist in equilibrium with molecules of different configuration

Derived Formsconformational, adjective

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

Word Origin and History for conformation

1510s, from Latin conformationem (nominative conformatio) "a symmetrical forming," noun of action from past participle stem of conformare (see conform).

conformation in Medicine

conformation

[kŏn′fər-mā′shən]

n.

One of the spatial arrangements of atoms in a molecule that can come about through free rotation of the atoms about a single chemical bond.