C O N S I D E R :
Grouping
Organization
Order
A number of orders or groupings formed into an array
Large and impressive grouping or organization
Disposition
Ordered Array - David Wade, in 'Geometric Patterns and Borders' , says that "two elements are required: a repeat motif conjoined with a structured or rhythmic base." Other types of "ordered array," says Wade, include that of the Rorschach inkblot, solid (3-D) symmetry, and two-dimensional examples--planar (infinite patterns), linear (frieze or border), and centered (finite). [David Wade, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1982, the Introduction. pg. 27]
R E F E R E N C E S
1 Array vt [ME, fr. OF arayer, fr. [assumed] VL arredare, fr. L ad- + a base of Gmc origin; akin to Goth garaiths aranged -more at Ready] [14c] 1: to dress or decorate esp. in splendid or impressive attire: Adorn 2:a: to set or place in order: Draw up, Marshall b: to set or set forth in order [as a jury] for the trial of a cause
2 Array n [14c] 1a: a regular and imposing grouping or arrangement: Order [lined up ... in soldierly __ -Donald Barthelme] b: an orderly listing of jurors impaneled 2a: Clothing, Attire b: rich or beautiful apparel: Finery 3: a body of soldiers: Militia [the baron and his feudal __] 4: an imposing group: large number [faced a whole __ of problems] 5a [1]: a number of mathematical elements aranged in rows and columns [2]: a data structure in which similar elements of data are arranged in a table b: a series of statistical data arranged in classes in order of magnitude 6: a group of elements forming a complete unit [an antenna __]
[Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th Edition. Springfield, MA, USA: Merriam-Webster, Inc. 1995.]
Array [ME array(n) < AF araye(r), OF are(y)er < Gmc; cf. OE arædan to prepare = ã- A-3 + ræde ready] 1. to place in proper or desired order as troops for battle. 2. to clothe, esp. with ornamental attire. -n. 3. order, as of troops drawn up for battle. 4. a military force, esp. a body of troops. 5. a large and impressive grouping or organization: an array of facts. 6. a regular order or arrangement: an array of figures. 7. attire; dress: in fine array. 8. Math., Statistics. an arrangement of a series of terms in some geometric pattern, as in a matrix.
-Syn. 1. arrange, dispose. 2. attire; adorn. 3. disposition, arrangement. 5. raiment.
Arrayal n. 1. act of arraying. 2. something that is arrayed.
[Urdang, Laurence, ed. Random House Dictionary of The English Language. New York: Random House,1968.]
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