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formation
formation
1. (plant formation) In vegetation description and analysis, a classificatory unit which usually implies a distinctive physiognomy rather than a distinctive species composition. In detail, the various phytosociological traditions ascribe slightly different meanings and hierarchical status to the term. The early European schemes grouped associations into alliances and then formation groups (e.g. sclerophyllous scrub), and then formation classes (e.g. sclerophyllous woodland and scrub). The formation classes are roughly equivalent to the major world biomes. 2. See formation type. 3. The fundamental unit used in lithostratigraphy. Specific features distinguish one rock formation from another. The thickness of the formation is unimportant in its definition, as a given formation may vary within different outcrops. Formations may be subdivided into members and together several formations constitute a group. |
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Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "formation." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "formation." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-formation.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "formation." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-formation.html |
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formation
formation
1. (plant formation) In vegetation description and analysis, a classificatory unit which usually implies a distinctive physiognomy rather than a distinctive species composition. In detail, the various phytosociological traditions ascribe slightly different meaning and hierarchical status to the term. The early European schemes grouped associations into alliances and then formation groups (e.g. sclerophyllous scrub), and then formation classes (e.g. sclerophyllous woodland and scrub). The formation classes are roughly equivalent to the major world biomes. 2. See FORMATION TYPE. |
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Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "formation." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "formation." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-formation.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "formation." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-formation.html |
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formation
for·ma·tion / fôrˈmāshən/ • n. 1. the action of forming or process of being formed: the formation of the Great Rift Valley. 2. a structure or arrangement of something: a cloud formation. ∎ a formal arrangement of aircraft in flight or troops: a battle formation | the helicopters hovered overhead in formation. ∎ Geol. an assemblage of rocks or series of strata having some common characteristic. DERIVATIVES: for·ma·tion·al / -shənl/ adj. |
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"formation." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "formation." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-formation.html "formation." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-formation.html |
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formation
formation The fundamental unit used in lithostratigraphy. Specific features distinguish one rock formation from another. The thickness of the formation is unimportant in its definition, as a given formation may vary within different outcrops. Formations may be subdivided into members and together several formations constitute a group.
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Cite this article
AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "formation." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "formation." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-formation.html AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "formation." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-formation.html |
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Formation
Formationa formal assembly of troops; arrangement of rocks in a geological setting, 1815. Examples: formation of clouds, 1808; of troop, 1796. |
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"Formation." Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. 1985. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Formation." Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. 1985. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2505300696.html "Formation." Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. 1985. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2505300696.html |
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formation
formation n. a formal arrangement of aircraft in flight or troops: a battle formation | the helicopters hovered overhead in formation.
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Cite this article
"formation." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "formation." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-formation.html "formation." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-formation.html |
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