configuration (konfigurashon)

[F. jurat i on = Sp. configuración n = Pg. conf i tio (n-), ing from the disposition and relation of the parts; external aspect or appearance; contour. The natural configuration of the ground, as well as the course of history, had gathered these shires [of We ex] into three great groups. J. R. Green, Conq. of Eng., p. 302. Change, both gradual and sudden, has been exhibited in the configuration and climate of all portions of the surface of the globe. E. D. Cope , Origin of the Fittest, p. 351. 2. In astrol ., relative position or aspect of the planets. The aspects, conjunctions and configurations of the stars. Sir T. Browne, Christ. Mor., ii. 9. .. They [astrologers] undertook to determine the course of a man's character and life from the configura tion of the stars at the moment of his birth. Whewell. 3. In modern astron ., any noticeable grouping of stars which may aid in identifying them.4. In analytical mech . , the relative positions of the parts of a system at any moment. When a material system is considered with respect to the relative position of its parts, the a emblage of relative positions is called the configuration of the system. Clerk Maxwell , Matter and Motion, iv. 5. In geom., a ruled surface considered as a locus of rays; also, a system of three linear complexes. configure (kon-fig'ur), v. t.; pret. and pp. con figured, ppr. configuring. [= F. con figurer = Sp. Pg. configurar = It. config urare, Configuring themselves into human shape. shut up, inclose, Sp. Pg. confinar = It. con bordering on: see confine, a.] I.t in trans. To have a common boundary; border; abut; be in contact: followed by on or with. Where your gloomy bounds Confine with heaven. Milton , P. L., ii. 977. Full in the midst of this created space, Betwixt heaven, earth, and skies, there stands a place Confining on all three. Dryden, tr. of Ovid's Meta morph., xii. 58. Purchas, Pilgrimage, p. 821. On the South it is confined with Pamphilia. II. trans. To restrict within bounds; limit; inclose; bound; hence, imprison; immure; shut up. Therefore wast thou Deservedly conf in'd into this rock, Who hadst deserv'd more than a prison. Shak ., Tempest, i. 2. Those who do confine the Church of God either to par ticular nations, churches, or families, have made it far narrower than our Saviour ever meant it. Sir T. Browne, Religio Medici, i. 55. He is happiest who confines his wants to natural nece ities. Steele , English man, No. 26. To be confined, to be unable to leave the house or bed by reason of sickne or other cause; specifically, to be in childbed. I have been very ill this week with a great cold and a fever, and though now in a way to be well, am like to be conjined some days longer. Gray, Letters, I. 329. Syn. To bound, circumscribe, restrict, incarcerate. confined (kon-find'), p . a . [Pp. of confine , v.] 1. Restrained within limits; imprisoned; secluded; close; narrow; mean: as, a confined mind.-2. In pathol ., constipated: as, the bowels may be confined . confinele t (kon'fin or kon-fin'les), a. [ The testimony of Christ was confirmed in you. 1 Cor. i. 6. Shak ., T. G. of V., v. 2. The news we heard at Sea of the K. of Sweden's Death Howell, Letters, I. vi. 8. These likelihoods confirm her flight. All that was long ago declared as law By the early Revelation, stands confirmed By Apostle and Evangelist and Saint. Browning, Ring and Book, II. 82. 41. To certify or give a urance to; inform positively. Pray you, sir, confirm me, Were there three porpoises seen above the bridge, As they give out? B. Jonson, Volpone, ii. 1. 5. To sanction; ratify; consummate; make valid or binding by some formal or legal act: as, to confirm an agreement, promise, covenant, or title. Ord in a unces, Actes, and Statutes... no we renewed, and affermed and confer med , by the a ente and consente and agrement off all the Bredern. English Gilds (E. E. T. S.), p. 187. In the early days of Rome, the will of a Roman patrician had to be confirmed by the a embly of the cur iæ. E. A. Freeman, Amer. Lects., p. 142. 6. To strengthen in resolution, purpose, or opinion; fortify. Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Acts xiv. 22. Arouses the indifferent and confirms the wavering. IMG:content-1036.png:[blocks in formation] Man is spirit, a nature configured to God. Bushnell, Sermons for New Life, p. 33. confinable (kon-fi'na-bl), a . [ confine + -able . ] Capable of being confined or restricted. Not confinable to any limits. Bp . Hall , Remains, p. 90. Black Macbeth Will seem as pure as snow, and the poor state Esteem him as a lamb, being compared With my confinele harms. Shak., Macbeth, iv. 3. confirmable (kon-fèr'ma-bl), a. [ IMG:content-1037.png:[blocks in formation] The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia: The Century dictionary confirmable 2. Corroboratory. [Rare.] Confirmable in their declaration as witne es. R. Parke. confirm ance (kon-fér'mans), n. [ confirm + -ance.] Confirmation; establishment of confidence. [Rare.] For their confirm ance , I will therefore now Slepe in our black barke. Chapman, Ody ey, iii.