anomaly
n. countable C1 Advanced US //əˈnɑməɫi// UK //ɐnˈɒməlˌi// anom·aly
n. something that does not follow the usual pattern or rule. It is an unexpected difference that stands out from the rest.
n. a deviation from what is standard, normal, or expected. Often implies a surprising or irregular occurrence that defies general rules.
The sudden drop in temperature was an anomaly.
Scientists studied the anomaly in the data to understand why the results differed from previous tests.
In a system governed by strict laws of physics, this anomaly remained an unexplained outlier that challenged existing theories.
From Latin anomalia, from Ancient Greek ἀνωμαλία (anōmalía, “irregularity, anomaly”), from ἀνώμαλος (anṓmalos, “irregular, uneven”), negating the meaning of ὁμαλός (homalós, “even”), from ὁμός (homós, “same”).