Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Synonyms
Nearby Entries
anomalous - 4 dictionary results

a⋅nom⋅a⋅lous

  [uh-nom-uh-luhs]
Use anomalous in a Sentence
–adjective
1. deviating from or inconsistent with the common order, form, or rule; irregular; abnormal: Advanced forms of life may be anomalous in the universe.
2. not fitting into a common or familiar type, classification, or pattern; unusual: He held an anomalous position in the art world.
3. incongruous or inconsistent.
4. Grammar. irregular.
Origin:
1640–50; (< ML, LL anōmalus) < Gk anmalos irregular, equiv. to an- an- 1 + homalós even, with ō by analogy with other Gk privatives (cf. anopheles ); see homo-, -ous

Related forms:
a⋅nom⋅a⋅lous⋅ly, adverb
a⋅nom⋅a⋅lous⋅ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To anomalous
a·nom·a·lous   (ə-nŏm'ə-ləs)   
adj.  
  1. Deviating from the normal or common order, form, or rule.
  2. Equivocal, as in classification or nature.

[From Late Latin anōmalos, from Greek, uneven : probably from an-, not; see a-1 + homalos, even (from homos, same; see sem-1 in Indo-European roots).]
a·nom'a·lous·ly adv., a·nom'a·lous·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Anomalous

A*nom"a*lous\, a. [L. anomalus, Gr. ? uneven, irregular; 'an priv. + ? even, ? same. See Same, and cf. Abnormal.] Deviating from a general rule, method, or analogy; abnormal; irregular; as, an anomalous proceeding.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source

Main Entry: anom·a·lous
Pronunciation: &-'näm-&-l&s
Function: adjective
: deviating from normal <anomalous pulmonaryvenous drainage —Physicians' Current Procedural Terminology>; specifically : having abnormal vision with respect to a particular color but not color-blind anomalous —Nature>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see anomalous on Thesaurus | Reference