— formational , adj.
/fawr may"sheuhn/ , n.
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. Mil.
a. a particular disposition of troops, as in columns, squares, etc.
b. any required assembling of the soldiers of a unit.
4. Geol.
a. a body of rocks classed as a stratigraphic unit for geologic mapping. Cf. member (def. 8).
b. the process of depositing rock or mineral of a particular composition or origin.
[ 1375-1425; late ME formacioun formation- (s. of formatio ), equiv. to format ( us ) (see FORM, -ATE 1 ) + -ion- -ION ]
Syn. 1. establishment, founding, organization.