conformal
|con-for-mal|
🇺🇸
/kənˈfɔːrməl/
🇬🇧
/kənˈfɔːm(ə)l/
matching form / angle-preserving
Etymology
'conformal' originates from Latin via English word-building: from the verb 'conform' + the adjectival suffix '-al'. 'Conform' derives from Latin 'conformare', where 'con-' meant 'together' and 'formare' meant 'to form'.
'conformal' developed from the Middle English/Old French lineage: Latin 'conformare' → Old French/Anglo-Norman forms (e.g. 'conformer') → Middle English 'conform' and later the addition of '-al' produced modern English 'conformal'.
Initially related to 'forming together' or 'bringing into the same form' (the meaning of 'conformare'); over time it evolved into adjectival senses meaning 'corresponding in form' and specialized technical senses such as 'angle-preserving' in mathematics and 'closely fitting' in engineering.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having the same shape, arrangement, or form; corresponding in form or character.
The new façade is conformal to the original building design.
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Adjective 2
in mathematics and complex analysis: preserving angles locally; describing maps or transformations that preserve angles and the shape of infinitesimally small figures (e.g., a conformal map).
A conformal map preserves the angles between intersecting curves.
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Adjective 3
fitting closely to a surface or shape (often used in engineering or materials context, e.g., conformal coating).
The conformal coating protects the circuit board by following its contours.
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Last updated: 2025/09/28 11:19