1
[ noun ] an arrangement of people or things acting as a unit

Examples

"a defensive formation" "a formation of planes"

Used in print

(John Hazard Wildman, "Take It Off," The Arizona...)

`` Now '' , said Arlene , eventually , making them both sit in formation on a big root of a live_oak , the sort of root that divided itself and made their bottoms sag_down and feel comfortable .

2
[ noun ] the fabrication of something in a particular shape

Synonyms

shaping

Used in print

(Jacob Robbins et al., "The thyroid-stimulating...)

However , the formation of organically bound iodine , mainly mono-iodotyrosine , can be accomplished in cell-free systems .

Little is known of the synthetic mechanisms for formation of thyroglobulin .

A study of their activity on thyroglobulin has shown that thyroxine is not preferentially released and that the degradation proceeds stepwise with the formation of macromolecular intermediates ( Alpers , Petermann and Rall , 1956 ) .

On_the_other_hand , there are a_few antithyroid drugs of this same general type , such as resorcinol , possessing no reducing activity and possibly acting through formation of a complex with molecular iodine .

3
[ noun ] the act of forming something

Examples

"the constitution of a PTA group last year" "it was the establishment of his reputation" "he still remembers the organization of the club"

Used in print

(The New York Times,...)

When that failed , he enlisted Branch_Rickey 's aid in the formation of a third major_league , the Continental , with New_York as the key franchise .

(Frank Getlein and Harold C. Gardiner, S.J., Movies,...)

We leap from event to event - including the formation of the posse - even though the events , in `` reality '' are taking_place not in sequence but simultaneously , and not near each other but at a considerable distance .

(Jay C. Harris and John R. Van Wazer, "Detergent...)

Related_to micelle formation is the technologically important ability of detergent actives to congregate at oil_water_interfaces in such a manner that the polar ( or ionized ) end of the molecule is directed towards the aqueous phase and the hydrocarbon chain towards the oily phase .

(Douglas Ashford, "Elections in Morocco: Progress...)

King_Muhammad /5 , was known to be most sympathetic to the formation of local self-government and made the first firm promise of elections on May_Day , 1957 .

4
[ noun ] the geological features of the earth

Used in print

(Richard I. McCosh, "Recreation Site Selection"...)

It may be distant views of a valley or the mountains or natural features such as a small lake , colorful rock formations , or unusual trees .

Notice should be taken_of unusual rock formations , deposits , or shapes of the earth 's crust in your region .

Those which tell a story of the earth 's formation in each area can add geological interest to the recreation sites .

5
[ noun ] a particular arrangement

Used in print

(Jaroslav Pelikan, The Shape of Death: life, death and...)

There are some passages in the writings of Irenaeus where the image of God and the similitude are sharply distinguished , so most notably in the statement : `` If the [ Holy ] Spirit is absent from the soul , such a man is indeed of an animal nature ; and , being left carnal , he will be an imperfect being , possessing the image [ of God ] in his formation , but not receiving the similitude [ of God ] through the Spirit '' .

(E. Lucas Myers, "The Vindication of Dr. Nestor,"...)

The doctor , with the air of a man whose professional interests have found scope , drew Alex 's attention to those excellences which might otherwise have escaped him : the fine color in comb and wattles , the length and quality of neck and saddle_hackles , the firm , wide spread of the toes , and a rare justness in the formation of the ear lappets .

6
[ noun ] natural process that causes something to form

Examples

"the formation of gas in the intestine" "the formation of crystals" "the formation of pseudopods"

7
[ noun ] creation by mental activity

Examples

"the formation of sentences" "the formation of memories"

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