Configuration
(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]
Configure
(Con*fig"ure) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Configured ; p. pr. & vb. n. Configuring.] [L. configurare: cf.
F. configurer. See Configurate.] To arrange or dispose in a certain form, figure, or shape. Bentley.
Confinable
(Con*fin"a*ble) a. Capable of being confined, restricted, or limited.
Not confinable to any limits.
Bp. Hall.
Confine
(Con*fine") v. t. [imp. & p. p. Confined ; p. pr. & vb. n. Confining.] [F. confiner to border
upon, LL. confinare to set bounds to; con- + finis boundary, end. See Final, Finish.] To restrain
within limits; to restrict; to limit; to bound; to shut up; to inclose; to keep close.
Now let not nature's hand
Keep the wild flood confined! let order die!
Shak.
He is to confine himself to the compass of numbers and the slavery of rhyme.
Dryden.
To be confined, to be in childbed.
Syn. — To bound; limit; restrain; imprison; immure; inclose; circumscribe; restrict.
Confine
(Con"fine) (? or ); 277), v. i. To have a common boundary; to border; to lie contiguous; to touch; —
followed by on or with. [Obs.]
Where your gloomy bounds
Confine with heaven.
Milton.
Bewixt heaven and earth and skies there stands a place.
Confining on all three.
Dryden.
Confine
(Con"fine) n.
1. Common boundary; border; limit; — used chiefly in the plural.
Events that came to pass within the confines of Judea.
Locke.
And now in little space
The confines met of empyrean heaven,
And of this world.
Milton.
On the confines of the city and the Temple.
Macaulay.
