configuration

[ kuh n-fig-yuh-rey-shuh n ]
/ kənˌfɪg yəˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

the relative disposition or arrangement of the parts or elements of a thing.
external form, as resulting from this; conformation.
Astronomy.
  1. the relative position or aspect of heavenly bodies.
  2. a group of stars.
Chemistry. an atomic spatial arrangement that is fixed by the chemical bonding in a molecule and that cannot be altered without breaking bonds (contrasted with conformation).
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.

Origin of configuration

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 -ate1) + -iōn- -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM configuration

con·fig·u·ra·tion·al, con·fig·u·ra·tive [kuh n-fig-yer-uh-tiv, -yuh-rey-tiv] /kənˈfɪg yər ə tɪv, -yəˌreɪ tɪv/, adjective con·fig·u·ra·tion·al·ly, adverb pre·con·fig·u·ra·tion, noun

Words nearby configuration

confidential, confidential communication, confidentiality, confiding, configurate, configuration, configurationism, configure, confine, confined, confinee

Example sentences from the Web for configurational

  • Nevertheless, the game has a configurational nature: the aim is to maintain the ball in the air for as long as possible.

    The Civilization of Illiteracy |Mihai Nadin

  • Visual representation, as opposed to language expression, attains coherence as a whole, and the whole is configurational.

    The Civilization of Illiteracy |Mihai Nadin

  • This is why their sequentiality conflicts with subjects of configurational condition.

    The Civilization of Illiteracy |Mihai Nadin

British Dictionary definitions for configurational

configuration
/ (kənˌfɪɡjʊˈreɪʃən) /

noun

the arrangement of the parts of something
the external form or outline achieved by such an arrangement
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
psychol the unit or pattern in perception studied by Gestalt psychologists
computing the particular choice of hardware items and their interconnection that make up a particular computer system

Derived forms of configuration

configurational or configurative, adjective configurationally, adverb

Word Origin for configuration

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

Medical definitions for configurational

configuration
[ kən-fĭg′yə-rā′shən ]

n.

The arrangement of parts or elements of a whole, especially the structural arrangement of atoms in a compound or molecule.
Gestalt.