A deviation from the proper or expected course. See Synonyms at deviation.
A departure from the normal or typical: events that were aberrations from the norm.
Psychology A disorder or abnormal alteration in one's mental state.
A defect of focus, such as blurring in an image.
An imperfect image caused by a physical defect in an optical element, as in a lens.
The apparent displacement of the position of a celestial body in the direction of motion of an observer on Earth, caused by the motion of Earth and the finite velocity of light.
Genetics A deviation in the normal structure or number of chromosomes in an organism.
[Latin aberrātiō, aberrātiōn-, diversion, from aberrātus, past participle of aberrāre, to go astray : ab-, away from; see ab-1 + errāre, to stray; see ers- in Indo-European roots.]
1594, "a wandering, straying," from L. aberrationem, from aberrare "go astray," from ab- "away" + errare "to wander" (see err). Meaning "deviation from the normal type" first attested 1846.
A deviation in the normal structure or number of chromosomes in an organism.
A defect in a lens or mirror that prevents light rays from being focused at a single point and results in a distorted or blurred image. ◇ Aberration that results in distortion of color is called chromatic aberration. ◇ Aberration that is caused by imperfections in the surface or shape of a spherical mirror or lens is called spherical aberration. See also astigmatism, coma.2
Main Entry: ab·er·ra·tion Pronunciation: "ab-&-'rA-sh&n Function: noun 1: failure of a mirror, refracting surface, or
lens to produce exact point-to-point correspondence between an object and its image 2: unsoundness or disorder of the mind 3: an aberrant organ or individual
—ab·er·ra·tion·al/-shn&l, -sh&n-&l/adjective
Ab`er*ra"tion\, n. [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.) 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 daily 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.) 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.) The passage of blood or other fluid into parts not appropriate for it. 6. (Law) 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.
Chro*mat"ic\, a. [L. chromaticus, Gr. ?, suited for color, fr. ?, ?, color; akin to ? color, ? skin, color of the skin.]1. Relating to color, or to colors. 2. (Mus.) Proceeding by the smaller intervals (half steps or semitones) of the scale, instead of the regular intervals of the diatonic scale. Note: The intermediate tones were formerly written and printed in colors. Chromatic aberration. (Opt.) See Aberration, 4. Chromatic printing, printing from type or blocks covered with inks of various colors. Chromatic scale (Mus.), the scale consisting of thirteen tones, including the eight scale tones and the five intermediate tones.
In*san"i*ty\, n. [L. insanitas unsoundness; cf. insania insanity, F. insanite.]1. The state of being insane; unsoundness or derangement of mind; madness; lunacy. All power of fancy overreason is a degree of insanity. --Johnson. Without grace The heart's insanity admits no cure. --Cowper. 2. (Law) Such a mental condition, as, either from the existence of delusions, or from incapacity to distinguish between right and wrong, with regard to any matter under action, does away with individual responsibility. Syn: Syn>- Insanity, Lunacy, Madness, Derangement, Aliention, Aberration, Mania, Delirium, Frenzy, Monomania, Dementia. Usage: Insanity is the generic term for all such diseases; lunacy has now an equal extent of meaning, though once used to denote periodical insanity; madness has the same extent, though originally referring to the rage created by the disease; derangement, alienation, are popular terms for insanity; delirium, mania, and frenzy denote excited states of the disease; dementia denotes the loss of mental power by this means; monomania is insanity upon a single subject.
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