(n) celebration in the Eastern Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary's being taken up into heaven when her earthly life ended; corresponds to the Assumption in the Roman Catholic Church and is also celebrated on August 15th, Syn. Feast of Dormition
(n) natural process that causes something to form, Example:the formation of gas in the intestine; the formation of crystals; the formation of pseudopods
n. [ L. formatio: cf. F. formation. ] 1. The act of giving form or shape to anything; a forming; a shaping. Beattie. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. The manner in which a thing is formed; structure; construction; conformation; form; as, the peculiar formation of the heart. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. A substance formed or deposited. [ 1913 Webster ]
4. (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. [ 1913 Webster ]
5. (Mil.) The arrangement of a body of troops, as in a square, column, etc. Farrow. [ 1913 Webster ]