Main Entry: con·ju·ga·tion

Pronunciation: \ˌkän-jə-ˈgā-shən\

Function: noun

Date: 15th century

1 a : a schematic arrangement of the inflectional forms of a verb b : verb inflection c : a class of verbs having the same type of inflectional forms <the weak conjugation> d : a set of the simple or derivative inflectional forms of a verb especially in Sanskrit or the Semitic languages <the causative conjugation>
2 : the act of conjugating : the state of being conjugated
3 a : fusion of usually similar gametes with ultimate union of their nuclei and sexual reproduction that occurs in most fungi and in some algae (as green algae) b : temporary cytoplasmic union with exchange of nuclear material that is the usual sexual process in ciliated protozoans c : the one-way transfer of DNA between bacteria in cellular contact

— con·ju·ga·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective

— con·ju·ga·tion·al·ly adverb