conformable, a.
(kənˈfɔːməb(ə)l)
[f. conform v. + -able: perh. after agree-able, the suffix having here a like force: cf. also comfortable, amicable, etc. It. has conformabile and conformevole in Florio. Formerly also written confirmable, by confusion with that word q.v. Cf. confirm, conform.]
1. According in form or character to (a standard or pattern); similar, resembling, like. Const. to.
| 1511 Colet Serm. Conf. & Ref. in Phenix (1708) II. 6 The four Evils..by which we are conformable to this World, by which the face of the Church is made ill-favour'd. 1526–34 Tindale Phil. iii. 10 That I myght be conformable [Vulg. configuratus] vnto his (deeth). 1547 Act 1 Edw. VI, c. 1. §7 It is..conformable to the common Use and Practise both of the Apostles and of the Primitive Church. 1646 P. Bulkeley Gospel Covt. v. 379 True holinesse is conformable to the first pattern of holinesse. 1713 Derham Phys. Theol. iv. ii. 104 As Birds and Fishes are in divers things conformable, so in some Sort they are in their Eye. 1744 Berkeley Siris §34 The supposed circulation of the sap..is in no sort conformable or analogous to the circulation of the blood. 1885 Law Rep. 30 Chanc. Div. 241 The Court of Appeal altered its own order as not being conformable to the order pronounced. |
2. Corresponding so as to fit or suit; agreeable, consistent, harmonious; fitting, adapted, fitly adjusted. Const. usually to.
| 1555 Eden Decades 324 The partes must needes bee conformable to the hole. 1651 Hobbes Leviath. i. xv. 79 What is conformable, or disagreeable to Reason, in the actions of common life. 1790 Paley Horæ Paul. ii. 17 A representation so conformable to the circumstances there recorded. 1869 E. A. Parkes Pract. Hygiene (ed. 3) 115 A conclusion conformable to our present doctrine. |
b. Const. rarely with.
| 1711 Addison Spect. No. 223 ¶2 A Taste of her [Sappho's] Way of Writing, which is perfectly conformable with that extraordinary Character we find of her. 1734 tr. Rollin's Anc. Hist. (1827) I. 69 This law was very conformable with the manners of the Greeks. |
c. Accordant with one's condition, etc.; convenient, suitable. rare.
| 1826 Scott Woodst. iii, ‘Why,’..answered the keeper, ‘I should be at my hut to make matters somewhat conformable for the old knight and Mistress Alice’. |
3. Of persons: Disposed or wont to conform; compliant to.
| 1525 Abp. Warham in Hallam Const. Hist. (1842) I. 20 Men..conformable to reason. 1529 Act 21 Hen. VIII, c. 16. §20 So that the said Strangers..be conformable to such Direction and Order. 1687 Reason. of Toleration 1 Men that were not conformable to their Humours and Ceremonies. 1712 Prideaux Direct. Ch.-wardens (ed. 4) 9 Protestants, who are conformable to the Church of England. 1871 H. Ainsworth Tower Hill ii. vi, I rejoice to find you so conformable to the King's wishes. |
b. Of compliant disposition or practice; tractable, submissive, disposed to follow directions.
| 1547 Act 2–3 Edw. VI, c. 1. §1 They give Occasion to every honest and conformable Man most willingly to embrace them. 1596 Shakes. Tam. Shr. ii. i. 280 And bring you from a wilde Kate to a Kate Conformable as other houshold Kates. 1681 Otway Soldier's Fort. iii. i, In the mean time be humble and conformable. 1741 Richardson Pamela II. 109, I doubt not, you'll be made as conformable as I. 1877 Owen Wellesley's Disp. p. xxxviii, This did not prevent his employing that useful officer in important charges, when he became more conformable. |
c. spec. in Eng. Hist. Conforming to the usages of the Church of England, esp. as prescribed by the Acts of Uniformity.
| 1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. lxviii. §8 They may satisfy law in pretending themselves conformable. 1672 Baxter Bagshaw's Scand. iii. 30 To disable the Ministers of Christ, both conformable and non-conformable. 1679 J. Smith Narrat. Pop. Plot 9 The Bishops and the conformable Clergy. c 1710 J. Edwards in Cambr. Antiq. Soc. Commun. III. 133 So in St. Mary's Church..Jests and Merriment are permitted, and the most Conformable Clergy clap on their caps or hats in this place. 1861 Tulloch Eng. Purit. ii. 290 Godly conformable ministers. |
4. Geol. Having the same direction or plane of stratification: said of strata deposited one upon another in parallel planes.
| 1813 Bakewell Introd. Geol. (1815) 50 Stratified secondary rocks are generally conformable or parallel to each other. 1830 Lyell Princ. Geol. I. 133 The strata of..the succeeding epoch were deposited upon them in conformable position. 1882 Geikie Text-bk. Geol. iv. x. 599 Where one series of rocks..has been laid down continuously and without disturbance upon another series, they are said to be conformable. |
B. quasi-adv. In conformity with; conformably to.
| 1588 R. Parke tr. Mendoza's Hist. China 10 There they are prouided of all things necessarie for them, conformable vnto their degrees. 1632 Hayward tr. Biondi's Eromena 44 The Princesse, whose hands he (conformable to the dutie of a knight) was desirous to kisse. 1690 Locke Govt. ii. xiv. §165 They acted conformable to the Foundation and End of all Laws. 1784 New Spectator XV. 1/1 Now, if a person acts conformable to that, etc. |