irregular definition | Dictionary.com

Synonyms

asymmetrical, aberrant, anomalous, atypical, deviant, divergent, preternatural, unnatural, abnormal, aimless, amiss, baroque

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irregular - 6 dictionary results

ir⋅reg⋅u⋅lar

[i-reg-yuh-ler]

–adjective

1.	without symmetry, even shape, formal arrangement, etc.: an irregular pattern.

2.	not characterized by any fixed principle, method, continuity, or rate: irregular intervals.

3.	not conforming to established rules, customs, etiquette, morality, etc.: highly irregular behavior.

4.	not according to rule, or to the accepted principle, method, course, order, etc.

5.	Grammar. not conforming to the prevalent pattern or patterns of formation, inflection, construction, etc., of a language; having a rule descriptive of a very small number of items: The English verbs “keep” and “see” are irregular in their inflections.

6.	Military. (formerly, of troops) not belonging to an organized group of the established forces.

7.	flawed, damaged, or failing to meet a specific standard of manufacture: a sale of irregular shirts.

Botany.

a.	not uniform.

b.	(of a flower) having the members of some or all of its floral circles or whorls differing from one another in size or shape, or extent of union.

9.	deviating or experiencing deviations from a normally regular or cyclic body function, as bowel habits or menstruation.

10.	(of a stock or commodity market) of mixed market activity; showing no clear up or down trend.

–noun

11.	a person or thing that is irregular.

12.	Commerce. a product or material that does not meet specifications or standards of the manufacturer, as one having imperfections in its pattern.

13.	Military. a soldier or combatant not of a regular military force, as a guerrilla or partisan.

Origin:
1350–1400; < LL irrēgulāris (see ir- ² , regular ); r. ME irreguler < MF

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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Language Translation for : irregular

Spanish:

irregular,

German:

unregelmäßig,

Japanese:

不規則な

View 30 other languages »

ir·reg·u·lar (ĭ-rěg'yə-lər) Pronunciation Key
adj.

Contrary to rule, accepted order, or general practice: irregular hiring practices.
Not conforming to legality, moral law, or social convention: an irregular marriage.
Not straight, uniform, or symmetrical: irregular facial features.
Of uneven rate, occurrence, or duration: an irregular heartbeat.
Deviating from a type; atypical.
Botany Having differing floral parts, as of a zygomorphic or asymmetrical flower.
Falling below the manufacturer's standard or usual specifications; imperfect.
Grammar Departing from the usual pattern of inflection, derivation, or word formation, as the present forms of the verb be or the plural noun children.
Not belonging to a permanent, organized military force: irregular troops.

One, such as an item of merchandise, that is irregular.
A soldier, such as a guerrilla, who is not a member of a regular military force.

ir·reg'u·lar·ly adv.

irregular

c.1380, "not in conformity with Church rules," from O.Fr. irreguler (13c.), from M.L. irregularis, from in- "not" + L. regularis (see regular). General sense is from 1483. Military sense of "a soldier not of the regular army" is from 1747.

irregular
adjective
1.	contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice; "irregular hiring practices" [ant: regular]
2.	not occurring at expected times
3.	(used of the military) not belonging to or engaged in by regular army forces; "irregular troops"; "irregular warfare" [ant: regular]
4.	(of solids) not having clear dimensions that can be measured; volume must be determined with the principle of liquid displacement [ant: regular]
5.	falling below the manufacturer's standard; "irregular jeans"
6.	deviating from normal expectations; somewhat odd, strange, or abnormal; "these days large families are atypical"; "atypical clinical findings"; "atypical pneumonia"; "highly irregular behavior" [syn: atypical]
7.	lacking continuity or regularity; "an irregular worker"; "employed on a temporary basis"
8.	(of a surface or shape); not level or flat or symmetrical; "walking was difficult on the irregular cobblestoned surface"
9.	independent in behavior or thought; "she led a somewhat irregular private life"; "maverick politicians"
noun
1.	a member of an irregular armed force that fights a stronger force by sabotage and harassment [syn: guerrilla]
2.	merchandise that has imperfections; usually sold at a reduced price without the brand name

Irregular

Ir*reg"u*lar\, a. [Pref. ir- not + regular: cf. F. irr['e]gulier.] Not regular; not conforming to a law, method, or usage recognized as the general rule; not according to common form; not conformable to nature, to the rules of moral rectitude, or to established principles; not normal; unnatural; immethodical; unsymmetrical; erratic; no straight; not uniform; as, an irregular line; an irregular figure; an irregular verse; an irregular physician; an irregular proceeding; irregular motion; irregular conduct, etc. Cf. Regular.

Mazes intricate, Eccentric, intervolved, yet regular Then most when most irregular they seem. --Milton.

Leading the men of Herefordshire to fight Against the irregular and wild Glendower. --Shak.

A flowery meadow through which a clear stream murmured in many irregular meanders. --Jones.

Syn: Immethodical; unsystematic; abnormal; unnatural; anomalous; erratic; devious; crooked; eccentric; unsettled; uneven; variable; changeable; mutable; desultory; disorderly; wild; immoderate; intemperate; inordinate; vicious.

Irregular

Ir*reg"u*lar\, n. One who is not regular; especially, a soldier not in regular service.

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