aberration

A learned borrowing from Latin aberrātiō (“relief, diversion”), first attested in 1594,[1] from aberrō (“wander away, go astray”), from ab (“away”) + errō (“wander”).[2] Compare French aberration. Equivalent to aberrate +‎ -ion.

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˌæb.əˈɹeɪ.ʃn̩/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

aberration (countable and uncountable, plural aberrations)

1. The act of wandering; deviation from truth, moral rectitude; abnormal; divergence from the straight, correct, proper, normal, or from the natural state. [Late 16^th century.][3]

   the aberration of youth

   aberrations from theory

   aberration of character

   • 1961 December, “Talking of Trains: Derailment near Laindon”, in Trains Illustrated, page 717:

     A derailment which occurred on April 18 last between Laindon and Pitsea on the London Tilbury & Southend Line was caused by a lengthman who in a moment of aberration clipped a set of spring catch points in the derailing position, concludes Col. J. R. H. Robertson in his report [...].

2. (optics) The convergence to different foci, by a lens or mirror, of rays of light emanating from one and the same point, or the deviation of such rays from a single focus; a defect in a focusing mechanism that prevents the intended focal point. [Mid 18^th century.][3]
3. (astronomy) A small periodical change of the apparent positions of the stars and other heavenly bodies, due to the combined effect of the motion of light and the motion of the observer. [Mid 18^th century.][3]
   1. (astronomy, by extension) The tendency of light rays to preferentially strike the leading face of a moving object (the effect underlying the above phenomenon).
4. A partial alienation of reason. [Early 19^th century.][3]
   • 1819, John Lingard, The History of England, From the First Invasion by the Romans to the Accession of Henry VIII:

     Occasional aberrations of intellect

   • 1828, Isaac Taylor, The balance of criminality:

     We see indeed the aberrations of unruly appetite

5. (fantasy, roleplaying games) Any creature with supernatural powers not found in the organized classes of beings in a given setting.

   Only by submitting to the aberration could the human traders travel safely through the territory of Zularn.

6. A mental disorder, especially one of a minor or temporary character. [Early 19^th century.][3]
7. (zoology, botany) Atypical development or structure; deviation from the normal type; an aberrant organ. [Mid 19^th century.][3]
8. (medicine) A deviation of a tissue, organ or mental functions from what is considered to be within the normal range.
9. (electronics) A defect in an image produced by an optical or electrostatic lens system.[4]

aberration c (singular definite aberrationen, plural indefinite aberrationer)

1. (astronomy) aberration
2. (optics) aberration

• “aberration” in Den Danske Ordbog

From Latin aberrātiōnem, aberrātiō.

• IPA^(key): /a.bɛ.ʁa.sjɔ̃/, /a.be.ʁa.sjɔ̃/

• Audio

  (file)

aberration f (plural aberrations)

1. aberration
2. the state of being aberrant
3. (astronomy) aberration
4. (optics) aberration
5. (physiology) aberration or mutation

• aberrer

• “aberration”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.

• abornerait, arboraient