ABERRATION
aberration, distortion, optical aberration
(noun) an optical phenomenon resulting from the failure of a lens or mirror to produce a good image
aberration
(noun) a disorder in one’s mental state
aberrance, aberrancy, aberration, deviance
(noun) a state or condition markedly different from the norm
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
aberration (countable and uncountable, plural aberrations)
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.]
(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.]
(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.]
A partial alienation of reason. [Early 19th century.]
A mental disorder, especially one of a minor or temporary character. [Early 19th century.]
(zoology, botany) Atypical development or structure; deviation from the normal type; an aberrant organ. [Mid 19th century.]
(medicine) A deviation of a tissue, organ or mental functions from what is considered to be within the normal range.
Source: Wiktionary
Ab`er*ra"tion, n. Etym: [L. aberratio: cf. F. aberration. See Aberrate.]
1. The act of wandering; deviation, especially from truth or moral rectitude, from the natural state, or from a type. "The aberration of youth." Hall. "Aberrations from theory." Burke.
2. A partial alienation of reason. "Occasional aberrations of intellect." Lingard. Whims, which at first are the aberrations of a single brain, pass with heat into epidemic form. I. Taylor.
3. (Astron.)
Definition: 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; called annual aberration, when the observer's motion is that of the earth in its orbit, and dairy or diurnal aberration, when of the earth on its axis; amounting when greatest, in the former case, to 20.4'', and in the latter, to 0.3''. Planetary aberration is that due to the motion of light and the motion of the planet relative to the earth.
4. (Opt.)
Definition: 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; called spherical aberration, when due to the spherical form of the lens or mirror, such form giving different foci for central and marginal rays; and chromatic aberration, when due to different refrangibilities of the colored rays of the spectrum, those of each color having a distinct focus.
5. (Physiol.)
Definition: The passage of blood or other fluid into parts not appropriate for it.
6. (Law)
Definition: The producing of an unintended effect by the glancing of an instrument, as when a shot intended for A glances and strikes B.
Syn.
– Insanity; lunacy; madness; derangement; alienation; mania; dementia; hallucination; illusion; delusion. See Insanity.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
8 November 2024
REPLACEMENT
(noun) the act of furnishing an equivalent person or thing in the place of another; “replacing the star will not be easy”
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