NORMALS
Noun
normals
plural of normal
Anagrams
• Morlans
Source: Wiktionary
NORMAL
Nor"mal, a. Etym: [L. normalis, fr. norma rule, pattern, carpenter's
square; prob. akin to noscere to know; cf. Gr. normal. See Known, and
cf. Abnormal, Enormous.]
1. According to an established norm, rule, or principle; conformed to
a type, standard, or regular form; performing the proper functions;
not abnormal; regular; natural; analogical.
Deviations from the normal type. Hallam.
2. (Geom.)
Definition: According to a square or rule; perpendicular; forming a right
angle. Specifically: Of or pertaining to a normal.
3. (Chem.)
Definition: Standard; original; exact; typical. Specifically:
(a) (Quantitative Analysis) Denoting a solution of such strength that
every cubic centimeter contains the same number of milligrams of the
element in question as the number of its molecular weight. (b)
(Chem.)
Definition: Denoting certain hypothetical compounds, as acids from which
the real acids are obtained by dehydration; thus, normal sulphuric
acid and normal nitric acid are respectively S(OH)6, and N(OH)5.
(c) (Organ. Chem.) Denoting that series of hydrocarbons in which no
carbon atom is united with more than two other carbon atoms; as,
normal pentane, hexane, etc. Cf. Iso-. Normal equations (Method of
Least Squares), a set of equations of the first degree equal in
number to the number of unknown quantities, and derived from the
observations by a specified process. The solution of the normal
equations gives the most probable values of the unknown quantities.
– Normal group (Geol.), a group of rocks taken as a standard.
Lyell.
– Normal place (of a planet or comet) (Astron.), the apparent place
in the heavens of a planet or comet at a specified time, the place
having been determined by a considerable number of observations,
extending perhaps over many days, and so combined that the accidental
errors of observation have largely balanced each other.
– Normal school, a school whose methods of instruction are to serve
as a model for imitation; an institution for the training of
teachers.
Syn.
– Normal, Regular, Ordinary. Regular and ordinary are popular terms
of well-known signification; normal has now a more specific sense,
arising out of its use in science. A thing is normal, or in its
normal state, when strictly conformed to those principles of its
constitution which mark its species or to the standard of a healthy
and natural condition. It is abnormal when it departs from those
principles.
Nor"mal, n. Etym: [Cf. F. normale, ligne normale. See Normal, a.]
1. (Geom.) Any perpendicular.
2. (Geom.)
Definition: A straight line or plane drawn from any point of a curve or
surface so as to be perpendicular to the curve or surface at that
point.
Note: The term normal is also used to denote the distance along the
normal line from the curve to the axis of abscissas or to the center
of curvature.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition