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formation

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for⋅ma⋅tion

[fawr-mey-shuhn]
–noun
1. the act or process of forming or the state of being formed: the formation of ice.
2. the manner in which a thing is formed; disposition of parts; formal structure or arrangement.
3. Military.
a. a particular disposition of troops, as in columns, squares, etc.
b. any required assembling of the soldiers of a unit.
4. Geology.
a. a body of rocks classed as a stratigraphic unit for geologic mapping. Compare member (def. 8).
b. the process of depositing rock or mineral of a particular composition or origin.

Origin:
1375–1425; late ME formacioun < L fōrmātiōn- (s. of fōrmātiō), equiv. to fōrmāt(us) (see form, -ate 1 ) + -iōn- -ion


for⋅ma⋅tion⋅al, adjective


1. establishment, founding, organization.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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for·ma·tion   (fôr-mā'shən)   
n.  
  1. The act or process of forming something or of taking form.

  2. Something formed: beautiful cloud formations.

  3. The manner or style in which something is formed; structure: the distinctive formation of the human eye.

  4. A specified arrangement or deployment, as of troops.

  5. Geology The primary unit of lithostratigraphy, consisting of a succession of strata useful for mapping or description.

for·ma'tion·al adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Financial Dictionary

formation

See chart formation.

Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms by David L. Scott.
Copyright © 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: for·ma·tion
Pronunciation: for-'mA-sh&n
Function: noun
1 : an act of giving form or shape to something or of takingform : DEVELOPMENT
2 : the manner in which a thing is formed : STRUCTURE formation of the heart>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

formation for·ma·tion (fôr-mā'shən)
n.

  1. The act or process of forming something or of taking form.

  2. Something formed.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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