aberration

n. a temporary change from what is normal or expected, often in someone's behavior.

n. a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically one that is unwelcome or temporary. Countable in this sense.

“The team's poor performance in yesterday's game was a strange aberration, as they usually win.”

“The sudden drop in the company's stock price was considered a market aberration rather than a sign of long-term decline.”

Academic · Formal

n. a failure of a lens to focus light perfectly, which makes an image look blurry or distorted.

n. a defect in an optical system, such as a lens or mirror, that prevents light rays from meeting at a single focus, resulting in a blurred image.

“The photographer noticed a slight purple aberration around the edges of the bright window in the photo.”

“Modern high-end camera lenses use specialized glass elements to minimize chromatic aberration and ensure edge-to-edge sharpness.”

Technical

n. a small change in the apparent position of a star caused by the Earth's motion.

n. the apparent displacement of a celestial object from its true position, caused by the relative motion of the observer and the light from the object.

“Astronomers must account for stellar aberration when calculating the exact positions of distant stars.”

“The discovery of the aberration of light provided early empirical evidence for the Earth's orbital motion around the Sun.”

Technical

n. a growth or structure in a living thing that is not normal.

n. a deviation from the normal type in the structure or development of an organism or its cells.

“The scientist studied a genetic aberration that caused the flowers to turn white instead of red.”

“Chromosomal aberrations are often linked to specific developmental disorders and are identified through detailed laboratory screening.”

Technical