aberration

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English[edit]

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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 also aberrate.

Pronunciation[edit]

Noun[edit]

aberration (plural aberrations)

  1. The act of wandering; deviation from truth, moral rectitude; abnormal; divergence from the straight, correct, proper, normal, or from the natural state. [Late 16th century.][3]
    the aberration of youth, aberrations from theory
  2. (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]
  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]
  4. A partial alienation of reason. [Early 19th century.][3]
    • Lingard:
      Occasional aberrations of intellect.
    • I. Taylor:
      Whims, which at first are the aberrations of a single brain, pass with heat into epidemic form.
  5. A mental disorder, especially one of a minor or temporary character. [Early 19th century.][3]
  6. (zoology, botany) Atypical development or structure; deviation from the normal type; an aberrant organ. [Mid 19th century.][3]
  7. (medicine) A deviation of a tissue, organ or mental functions from what is considered to be within the normal range.

Derived terms[edit]

Translations[edit]

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Translations to be checked

References[edit]

  1. ^ Aberration at Dictionary.com
  2. ^ Elliott K. Dobbie, C. William Dunmore, Robert K. Barnhart, et al. (editors), Chambers Dictionary of Etymology (Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd, 2004 [1998], ISBN 0550142304), page 2
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Lesley Brown (editor), The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, 5th edition (Oxford University Press, 2003 [1933], ISBN 978-0-19-860575-7), page 4

French[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

Noun[edit]

aberration f (plural aberrations)

  1. Something, such as an idea or fact, that is aberrant; an aberration.
  2. The state of being aberrant.
  3. (astronomy) An aberration.
  4. (optics) An aberration.
  5. (physiology) An aberration or mutation.

Anagrams[edit]

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