anomaly

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Derived terms 1.3.3 Translations 1.4 External links

[edit] English

Wikipedia

[edit] Etymology

From Latin anomalia, from Ancient Greek ἀνωμαλία (anomalia), “‘irregularity, anomaly’”), from ἀνώμαλος (anomalos), “‘irregular, uneven’”), negating the meaning of ὁμαλός (omalos).

[edit] Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /əˈnɒməlɪ/, SAMPA: /@"nQm@lI/
• (US) IPA: /əˈnɑməli/, SAMPA: /@"nAm@li/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Noun

anomaly (plural anomalies)

1. A deviation from a rule or from what is regarded as normal.
   • 1956 — Arthur C. Clarke, The City and the Stars, p 43

     This ardent exploration, absorbing all his energy and interest, made him forget for the moment the mystery of his heritage and the anomaly that cut him off from all his fellows.

2. Something or someone that is strange or unusual.

   He is an anomaly among his friends.

3. (sciences) Any event or measurement that is out of the ordinary regardless of whether it is exceptional or not.
4. (astronomy) Any of various angular distances.
5. (biology) A defect or malformation.
6. (quantum mechanics) A failure in symmetry.
7. (dated) An irregularity or disproportion.

[edit] Synonyms

• abnormality
• deviance
• deviation
• exception
• inconsistency
• irregularity

[edit] Derived terms

• anomaloscope
• anomalous
• eccentric anomaly
• flyby anomaly
• mean anomaly
• true anomaly

[edit] Translations

[edit] External links

• anomaly in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• anomaly in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• anomaly at OneLook® Dictionary Search