| 释义 |
for·ma·tion
\fȯrˈmāshən, -ȯ(ə)ˈ-\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English formacioun, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French formation, from Latin formation-, formatio, from formatus + -ion-, -io -ion
1. : an act of giving form or shape to something or of taking form : production, development
< planned the formation of a social club >
< the formation of good habits >
2. : something that is formed
< new word formations >
< a greenish formation of mold on bread >
3. : the manner in which a thing is formed : structure, construction, form
< the peculiar formation of the heart >
4.
a. : the largest unit in ecological community organization comprising two or more associations together with the successional communities that lead to their establishment, the unit as a whole corresponding in area with a region of essentially uniform climate
< the grassland formation >
— compare biome
b. : a group of associations bound together by close similarity in life forms or habits and by dependence upon closely simlar climates — compare climax 4
5.
a. : any particular mineral aggregate or rock — not often used technically
b. : any igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock represented as a unit in geological mapping : a cartographic unit
c. : any sedimentary bed or consecutive series of beds sufficiently homogeneous or distinctive to be regarded as a unit
< the Trenton formation >
6.
a. : an arrangement of a body of troops in line, column, or other prescribed manner
b. : an arrangement of football players at the start of a play; especially : the development of the offensive backfield at the start of a play from scrimmage — usually used in combination; see a formation, double wingback formation, i formation, punt formation, single wingback formation, split T, spread formation, t formation
c. : an arrangement of two or more airplanes flying as a unit and for a particular purpose (as attack, protection, or review)
7. : the arrangement of the fibers in a sheet of paper
< a well closed, or regular, formation >
< a wild, or irregular, formation > |