What does "formation" mean?

Formation: The manner in which a thing is formed; structure; construction; conformation; form; as, the peculiar formation of the heart.

Additional senses

  1. 2.A substance formed or deposited.
  2. 3.(Geol.) (a) Mineral deposits and rock masses designated with reference to their origin; as, the siliceous formation about geysers; alluvial formations; marine formations. (b) A group of beds of the same age or period; as, the Eocene formation.
  3. 4.(Mil.) The arrangement of a body of troops, as in a square, column, etc. Farrow.

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