[a. F. arrangement (Cotgr., 1611), f. arranger: see -MENT.]
1. The action of arranging or disposing in order.
1727–51. Chambers, Cycl., Arrangement, or rangement, the disposition of the parts of a whole, in a certain order.
1816. Miss Austen, Emma, II. xiii. 366. There was time only for the quickest arrangement of mind; she must be collected and calm.
1870. Jevons, Elem. Logic, xxxii. 278. In large libraries … such modes of arrangement are adopted.
2. Arranged condition, orderly disposition, order.
1715. Cheyne, Philos. Princ. Relig., I. 109 (J.). There is a proper arrangement of the Parts to be brought about in Elastick Bodies.
1742. Young, Nt. Th., IX. 1108. Arrangement neat and chastest order reign.
1771. Foot, Penseroso, I. 49. O’er the dark arrangements of the globe December throws his solemn glooms.
3. Style or mode in which things are arranged.
1785–91. T. Warton, Notes on Milton’s Min. Poems (T.). In my new arrangement, I ought to have placed this piece under the Translations.
1822. De Quincey, Conf. (1862), 97. The clouds passed slowly through several arrangements.
1871. Tyndall, Fragm. Sc., I. xxi. 491. To every act of consciousness belongs a determinate molecular arrangement of the brain.
4. concr. A structure or combination of things arranged in a particular way or for any purpose; hence loosely, like affair, concern, production.
1800. Herschel, in Phil. Trans., XC. 491. An arrangement of twelve bricks, placed on a stand.
1871. B. Stewart, Heat, § 165. Such an arrangement is called a thermopile.
1881. Miss Braddon, Asph., II. 46. That lace arrangement which you call a cap.
5. Mus. The adaptation of a composition for voices or instruments for which it was not originally written; concr. a piece so adapted.
1849. Athenæum, 20 Oct., 1067/2. It was disheartening, too, to find the Appendix … crammed with arrangements.
1879. C. Parry, in Grove, Dict. Mus., I. 93/1. Arrangements of pianoforte works for full orchestra.
6. A settlement of mutual relations or claims between parties; an adjustment of disputed or debatable matters; a settlement by agreement.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xi. (1858), III. 12. It was impossible to make an arrangement that would please everybody.
1860. Massey, Hist. Eng., xxvii. III. 153. But personal prejudices again interposed to prevent an arrangement so desirable.
b. euphem. An affair of gallantry, an amour.
1751. Chesterf., Lett., 227 (1792), III. 26. Un arrangement, which is, in plain English, a gallantry. Ibid., 240, III. 99. Bragging of … such an arrangement will equally discredit you among men and women.
7. Disposition of measures for the accomplishment of a purpose; preparations for successful performance.
1786. Burke, Art. W. Hastings, III. Wks. XI. 432. Arrangements with the Rajah … for the better government and management of his Zemindary.
1837. Macready, Remin., II. 82. With the latter I made arrangements about ballet, &c.
1855. Thackeray, Newcomes, xxvi. 251. His own arrangements were made in another quarter.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xxii. IV. 713. Donelagh made the arrangements for the flight.
