a. [f. CONFORM v. + -ABLE: perh. after agree-able, the suffix having here a like force: cf. also confortable, 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. trans. 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. Shaks., 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.
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, trans. Mendoza’s Hist. China, 10. There they are prouided of all things necessarie for them, conformable vnto their degrees.
1632. Hayward, trans. 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.].
