aberration

plural aberrations

1. countableuncountableThe act of wandering; deviation from truth, moral rectitude; abnormal; divergence from the straight, correct, proper, normal, or from the natural state.First known use Late 16ᵗʰ century.

   the aberration of youth

   5 more examples

   aberrations from theory

   aberration of character

   A derailment which occurred on April 18 last between Laindon and Pitsea on the London Tilbury & Southend Line was caused by a lengthman who in a moment of aberration clipped a set of spring catch points in the derailing position, concludes Col. J. R. H. Robertson in his report […].

   1961 December, “Talking of Trains: Derailment near Laindon”, in Trains Illustrated, page 717

   The bulk of questionable experimentation upon African Americans is not detailed here because much of it consists of aberrations in therapeutics that were ostensibly meant to cure.

   2008, Harriet A. Washington, “Introduction”, in Medical Apartheid, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, page 30

   Our ancien regime, like the aristocracy of pre-revolutionary France, thought the party would never end. 2016 shook their historicist faith in the arc of the moral universe but by 2020 they hoped to write Trump off as an aberration. In retrospect, 2020 was the aberration, the rearguard action of a struggling regime and its struldbrugg ruler.

   2025 January 10, Peter Thiel, “A time for truth and reconciliation”, in Financial Times

2. countableuncountableengineeringThe 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.First known use Mid 18ᵗʰ century.
3. countableuncountableastronomyA small periodical change of the apparent positions of the stars and other heavenly bodies, due to the combined effect of the motion of light and the motion of the observer.First known use Mid 18ᵗʰ century.
   1. broadlycountableuncountableastronomyThe tendency of light rays to preferentially strike the leading face of a moving object (the effect underlying the above phenomenon).
4. countableuncountableA partial alienation of reason.First known use Early 19ᵗʰ century.

   Occasional aberrations of intellect

   1819, John Lingard, The History of England, From the First Invasion by the Romans to the Accession of Henry VIII

   1 more example

   We see indeed the aberrations of unruly appetite

   1828, Isaac Taylor, The balance of criminality

5. countableuncountableroleplaying gamesfantasyAny creature with supernatural powers not found in the organized classes of beings in a given setting.

   Only by submitting to the aberration could the human traders travel safely through the territory of Zularn.

6. countableuncountableA mental disorder, especially one of a minor or temporary character.First known use Early 19ᵗʰ century.
7. countableuncountablebiologyAtypical development or structure; deviation from the normal type; an aberrant organ.First known use Mid 19ᵗʰ century.
8. countableuncountablemedicineA deviation of a tissue, organ or mental functions from what is considered to be within the normal range.
9. countableuncountablebusinessA defect in an image produced by an optical or electrostatic lens system.