deviation
n. countable B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌdiviˈeɪʃən// UK //dˌiːvɪˈeɪʃən// de·vi·a·tion
n. a change from what is normal, expected, or usual. It can be a small difference in behavior or a large shift in a plan.
n. the action of departing from an established course, standard, or norm. Used in general contexts to describe divergence from expectations; in statistics, it refers to the difference between an observed value and the mean.
His behavior showed a strange deviation from the norm.
The project timeline suffered a minor deviation due to unexpected weather delays.
Statistical analysis revealed a significant deviation in the data set, suggesting that the initial hypothesis required revision.
From Middle French deviation, from Medieval Latin deviatio. Morphologically deviate + -ion.