Clās'si-fi-cā'tion, n.

n. [Fr. classification.] The act of forming into a class or classes; a distribution into groups, as classes, orders, families, &c., according to some common relations or affinities.

Artificial classification (Nat. Hist.), an arrangement based on principles or criteria adopted without reference to natural relations, or in ignorance of them.—Natural classification, an exhibition of the system-order in nature. Dana.