資料來源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

            The phenomena of geological distribution are exactly
            analogous to those of geography.      --A. R.
                                                  Wallace.

   2. Separation into parts or classes; arrangement of anything
      into parts; disposition; classification.

   3. That which is distributed. ``Our charitable
      distributions.'' --Atterbury.

   4. (Logic) A resolving a whole into its parts.

   5. (Print.) The sorting of types and placing them in their
      proper boxes in the cases.

   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      supplied to and withdrawn from the cylinder at each stroke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.

   {Geographical distribution}, the natural arrangements of
      animals and plants in particular regions or districts.

   Syn: Apportionments; allotment; dispensation; disposal;
        dispersion; classification; arrangement.

Geographic \Ge`o*graph"ic\, Geographical \Ge`o*graph"ic*al\, a.
   [L. geographicus, Gr. ?: cf. F. g['e]ographique.]
   Of or pertaining to geography.

   {Geographical distribution}. See under {Distribution}.

   {Geographic latitude} (of a place), the angle included
      between a line perpendicular or normal to the level
      surface of water at rest at the place, and the plane of
      the equator; differing slightly from the geocentric
      latitude by reason of the difference between the earth's
      figure and a true sphere.

   {Geographical mile}. See under {Mile}.

   {Geographical variation}, any variation of a species which is
      dependent on climate or other geographical conditions.