aberration
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
- First attested in 1594.
- From Latin aberrātiō (“relief, diversion”) [1], from aberrō (“wander away, go astray”), from ab (“away”) + errō (“wander”)[2].
- Compare French aberration.
- See aberrate.
Pronunciation[edit]
Noun[edit]
aberration (plural aberrations)
- The act of wandering; deviation from truth, moral rectitude; abnormall; divergence from the straight, correct, proper, normal, or from the natural state. [Late 16th century.][3]
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- The aberration of youth
- Aberrations from theory
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- (optics) The convergence to different foci, by a lens or mirror, of rays of light emanating from one and the same point, or the deviation of such rays from a single focus; a defect in a focusing mechanism that prevents the intended focal point. [Mid 18th century.][3]
- (astronomy) A small periodical change of position in the stars and other heavenly bodies, due to the combined effect of the motion of light and the motion of the observer. [Mid 18th century.][3]
- A partial alienation of reason. [Early 19th century.][3]
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- Occasional aberrations of intellect - Lingard
- Whims, which at first are the aberrations of a single brain, pass with heat into epidemic form - I. Taylor
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- A mental disorder, especially one of a minor or temporary character. [Early 19th century.][3]
- (zoology, botany) Atypical development or structure; deviation from the normal type; an aberrant organ. [Mid 19th century.][3]
Derived terms[edit]
Translations[edit]
deviation
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partial alienation of reason
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minor or temporary mental disorder
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astronomy: small periodical change of position of heavenly bodies
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optics: convergence to different foci
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physiology: deviation from the normal state
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zoology, botany: atypical development or structure
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- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.
Translations to be checked
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References[edit]
- ^ Aberration at Dictionary.com
- ^ 2004 [1998], Elliott K. Dobbie; Dunmore, C. William, et al., Barnhart, Robert K. editor, Chambers Dictionary of Etymology, Edinburgh, Scotland: Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd, ISBN 0550142304, page 2:
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 2003 [1933], Brown, Lesley editor, The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, edition 5th, Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-860575-7, page 4:
French[edit]
Pronunciation[edit]
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Audio (file)
Noun[edit]
aberration f (plural aberrations)
- Something, such as an idea or fact, that is aberrant; an aberration.
- The state of being aberrant.
- (astronomy) An aberration.
- (optics) An aberration.
- (physiology) An aberration or mutation.
