- Distribution
- Distribution Dis`tri*bu"tion, n. [L. distributio: cf. F.
distribution.]
1. The act of distributing or dispensing; the act of dividing
or apportioning among several or many; apportionment; as,
the distribution of an estate among heirs or children.
[1913 Webster]
The phenomena of geological distribution are exactly analogous to those of geography. --A. R. Wallace. [1913 Webster]
2. Separation into parts or classes; arrangement of anything into parts; disposition; classification. [1913 Webster]
3. That which is distributed. ``Our charitable distributions.'' --Atterbury. [1913 Webster]
4. (Logic) A resolving a whole into its parts. [1913 Webster]
5. (Print.) The sorting of types and placing them in their proper boxes in the cases. [1913 Webster]
6. (Steam Engine) The steps or operations by which steam is supplied to and withdrawn from the cylinder at each stroke of the piston; viz., admission, suppression or cutting off, release or exhaust, and compression of exhaust steam prior to the next admission. [1913 Webster]
{Geographical distribution}, the natural arrangements of animals and plants in particular regions or districts.
Syn: Apportionments; allotment; dispensation; disposal; dispersion; classification; arrangement. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
