dimension that is greater than an internal dimension defined between the engagement shoulders 324 with an embodiment as shown and described the tapered body ferrules 110 a 110 b are configured as u2018 floating u2019 ferrules and may be floatably mounted within their respective housings 304 wherein the ferrule and housing are movable relative to one another so that the ferrule may tilt through a conical range of movement within the housing in an embodiment as illustrated in fig7 b housing 304 may be displaced laterally relative to the ferrule 110 b so that the longitudinal axis 305 d moves through an angle of about u03b8 1 with respect to the longitudinal axis 9 d in an embodiment the angle u03b8 1 may be an amount approximately the same as the previously described angle u03b1 application of a lateral force f for example may therefore cause the housing 304 to mover relative to the mated ferrules thereby reducing possible breakage of a connector 302 a 302 b and allowing for the mated connection surfaces to remain aligned and mated within the adaptor 9 in an embodiment a stop 330 may be provided to prohibit movement beyond the maximum displacement angle u03b8 1 thereby reducing potential damage to a ferrule a multifiber connector 302 may be designed such that the clearances between the inner sidewalls 305 of the connector housing 304 and the tapered ferrule sides are increased in a manner which maintains the alignment of the ferrule relative to the connector housing while at the.