Con*fig`u*ra"tion (?), n. [L.
configuratio.]
1. Form, as depending on the relative disposition of the parts of
a thing; shape; figure.
It is the variety of configurations [of the mouth] . . . which gives birth and origin to the
several vowels.
Harris.
2. (Astrol.)
Relative position
or aspect of the planets; the face of the horoscope, according to the relative positions of the planets at
any time.
They [astrologers] undertook . . . to determine the course of a man's character and life from the
configuration of
the stars at the moment of
his birth.
Whewell.
3. (Chem.)
the spatial arrangement of atoms in a molecule
as determined by the covalent bonds between them; the three-dimensional structure
that cannot be changed without breaking the covalent bonds between atoms
of a molecule. It is distinguished from conformation,
which is the exact relative location in space of all of the atoms
of a molecule, which may vary at different times or in different
environments.
[PJC]
4. (Computers)
a specification of the parts of
a computer system, consisting of the essential components of the computer plus the complete set of all internal and external devices directly
attached to it; as, by the year 2000, a microcomputer configuration without a CD-ROM or DVD drive will be unsalable.
[PJC]
Hear it pronounced