Relating to formation or the process of forming something; particularly used in geology to describe rock layers or in psychology to describe developmental stages.
From 'formation' (Latin 'formatio,' the act of forming) plus the suffix '-al' (meaning 'relating to'). Used in scientific contexts since the 1800s.
Geologists use 'formational' to describe rock layers that were formed at the same time, and psychologists use it to talk about critical developmental periods—formation is the key idea!
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