PERTURBATION

disruption, perturbation

(noun) the act of causing disorder

perturbation, fluster

(noun) a disposition that is confused or nervous and upset

perturbation, disturbance

(noun) activity that is a malfunction, intrusion, or interruption; ā€œthe term ā€˜distress’ connotes some degree of perturbation and emotional upsetā€; ā€œhe looked around for the source of the disturbanceā€; ā€œthere was a disturbance of neural functionā€

perturbation

(noun) (physics) a secondary influence on a system that causes it to deviate slightly

disturbance, perturbation, upset

(noun) an unhappy and worried mental state; ā€œthere was too much anger and disturbanceā€; ā€œshe didn’t realize the upset she caused meā€

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

perturbation (countable and uncountable, plural perturbations)

(uncountable) Agitation; the state of being perturbed

(countable) A small change in a physical system, or more broadly any definable system (such as a biological or economic system)

(countable, astronomy, physics) Variation in an orbit due to the influence of external bodies

Source: Wiktionary


Per`tur*ba"tion, n. Etym: [L. perturbatio: cf. F. perturbation.]

1. The act of perturbing, or the state of being perturbed; esp., agitation of mind.

2. (Astron.)

Definition: A disturbance in the regular elliptic or other motion of a heavenly body, produced by some force additional to that which causes its regular motion; as, the perturbations of the planets are caused by their attraction on each other. Newcomb.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

3 May 2025

DESIRABLE

(adjective) worth having or seeking or achieving; ā€œa desirable jobā€; ā€œcomputer with many desirable featuresā€; ā€œa desirable outcomeā€


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Coffee Trivia

ā€œCoffee, the favorite drink of the civilized world.ā€ – Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States

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