ABERRANT

aberrant, deviant, deviate

(adjective) markedly different from an accepted norm; “aberrant behavior”; “deviant ideas”

aberrant

(noun) one whose behavior departs substantially from the norm of a group

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Adjective

aberrant (comparative more aberrant, superlative most aberrant)

Differing from the norm. [First attested sometime between the mid 16^th century and the early 17^th century.]

(sometimes, figuratively) Straying from the right way; deviating from morality or truth. [First attested in the mid 18^th century.]

(botany, zoology) Deviating from the ordinary or natural type; exceptional; abnormal. [First attested in the mid 19^th century.]

Synonyms

• (differing from the norm): abnormal, exceptional, unusual; see also strange

• (straying from the right way): devious, errant, immoral; see also immoral

• (deviating from the natural type)

Antonyms

• (differing from the norm): normal, regular, true; see also normal

• (straying from the right way): correct, right, straight; see also virtuous

• (deviating from the natural type): continuous

Noun

aberrant (plural aberrants)

A person or object that deviates from the rest of a group.

(biology) A group, individual, or structure that deviates from the usual or natural type, especially with an atypical chromosome number.

Synonyms

• (thing deviating from the group): deviant, freak; see also anomaly

• (thing deviating from the natural type)

Source: Wiktionary

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Ab*er"rant, a. Etym: [L. aberrans, -rantis, p.pr. of aberrare.]

Definition: See Aberr.]

1. Wandering; straying from the right way.

2. (Biol.)

Definition: Deviating from the ordinary or natural type; exceptional; abnormal. The more aberrant any form is, the greater must have been the number of connecting forms which, on my theory, have been exterminated. Darwin.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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