Aberration
/ˌæbəˈreɪʃən/
Definitions
2 meaningsA departure from what is normal or expected, often in a physical, mental, or moral sense.
/ˌæbəˈreɪʃən/
A departure from what is normal, typical, or expected; a deviation.
His angry outburst was an aberration in an otherwise calm personality.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're at a party and everyone is wearing regular clothes, but one person shows up in a full superhero costume. That person is a bit of an aberration, because they're different from everyone else! An aberration is something that is unusual or out of the ordinary.
👶 For kids: Something that is different from what's normal. Like if a cat started to bark!
More Examples
The researchers found an aberration in the data that they couldn't explain.
The painting’s distorted perspective was an aberration from the typical style.
How It's Used
"The sudden change in weather was an aberration."
"A chromosomal aberration can lead to genetic disorders."
"Lens aberrations distort the image."
A defect or imperfection in an optical system, such as a lens or mirror, that causes a distorted image.
/ˌæbəˈreɪʃən/
A defect in an optical system.
Spherical aberration causes the image to be blurred at the edges.
💡 Simply: When you look through a telescope or camera, sometimes the picture isn't perfect. An aberration is when the glass of the lens isn't quite right, and the image is a little bit blurry or weird-looking.
👶 For kids: When a camera or telescope makes the picture a little wonky or not perfect.
More Examples
Scientists worked to correct the chromatic aberration in the telescope.
The telescope's aberration resulted in a fuzzy image of the distant galaxy.
How It's Used
"The lens suffered from spherical aberration, distorting the image."
Synonyms
Anomaly
Deviation
Divergence
Defect
Deficiency
Distortion
Flaw
Antonyms
Conformity
Consistency
Regularity
Accuracy
Clarity
Correctness
Perfection
Sharpness
From Latin *aberratio*, meaning 'a straying or wandering,' derived from *aberrare*, 'to wander away.'
The term aberration has been used in scientific contexts since the 17th century, initially in astronomy and optics before expanding into other fields.
Memory tip
Think of an 'a-berry-ation' – a berry that's not the right color or shape; a deviation from the expected berry appearance.