conformation

[kon-fawr-mey-shuh n] /ˌkɒn fɔrˈmeɪ ʃən/
noun
1.
manner of formation; structure; form, as of a physical entity.
2.
symmetrical disposition or arrangement of parts.
3.
the act or process of conforming; adaptation; adjustment.
4.
the state of being conformed.
5.
Chemistry. an atomic spatial arrangement that results from rotation of carbon atoms about single bonds within an organic molecule. (contrasted with configuration).
Origin
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 forms
conformational, adjective
Synonyms
1. configuration, shape.
Examples from the web for conformation
  • The conformation of his mind was such that whatever was little seemed to him great, and whatever was great seemed to him little.
  • The conformation of his mind was such, that whatever was little seemed to him great, and whatever was great seemed to him little.
  • When the pigments absorb the light, proteins bound to them change their conformation.
  • Now waiting for final conformation of results and new dimensions of the quantum physics.
  • In all the gulches, at depths varying from six to fifty feet, is a bed-rock of the same general conformation as the surface.
  • The easiest way to get light-sensitivity is to have a simple molecule that changes it conformation slightly when exposed to light.
  • conformation, a horse's physical alignment, is an early indicator.
  • In conformation it closely resembles the stump of a tree.
  • If you're thinking of buying a horse, you study its conformation or general structure.
  • This change in conformation disables the ability of the protein to undergo digestion.
British Dictionary definitions for conformation

conformation

/ˌkɒnfɔːˈmeɪʃən/
noun
1.
the general shape or outline of an object; configuration
2.
the arrangement of the parts of an object
3.
the act or state of conforming
4.
(chem)
  1. another name for configuration (sense 3a)
  2. 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 Forms
conformational, adjective
Word Origin and History for conformation
n.

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

conformation in Medicine

conformation con·for·ma·tion (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.

Encyclopedia Article for conformation

any one of the infinite number of possible spatial arrangements of atoms in a molecule that result from rotation of its constituent groups of atoms about single bonds.

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