əˈjəs(t)mənt noun
( -s )
Etymology: French ajustement (formerly also adjustement ), from ajuster, adjuster + -ment
1. : the act or process of adjusting: as
a. : the bringing into proper, exact, or conforming position or condition
adjustment of a river to the underlying rock structure
b. : a harmonizing or settling
the adjustment of variant views — I.A.Richards
the orderly adjustment of disputes — F.A.Ogg & P.O.Ray
c. ecology : functional and often transitory alteration by which an organism is better adapted to its immediate environment — compare adaptation 2b
2. : a settlement of a claim or debt in a case in which the amount involved is uncertain or in which full payment is not made
3. : the state of being adjusted: as
a. : a satisfactory or desirable solution or arrangement
a series of emotional adjustments — H.G.Armstrong
the adjustment of the boundary question — American Guide Series: Maine
b. : a harmonized or balanced condition
the nice adjustment on either side of the scale — J.L.Lowes
4. : a means (as a mechanism) by which things are adjusted one to another
an adjustment for focusing a microscope
5.
a. : a correction or modification of an account to reflect the actual condition at the close of a given period by means of journal entries recording accruals, correction of errors, and depreciation
b. : an increase or decrease
an adjustment in his salary
sometimes : a decrease in business activity : a mild depression
6. psychology
a. : the process by which one becomes adjusted
b. : the extent to which one is able to adjust
• ad·just·men·tal ə|jəs(t)|ment ə l, |aˌjə- adjective