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Webster 1913 Edition


Aberration

Abˊer-ra′tion

,
Noun.
[L.
aberratio
: cf. F.
aberration
. See
Aberrate
.]
1.
The act of wandering; deviation, especially from truth or moral rectitude, from the natural state, or from a type.
“The aberration of youth.”
Hall.
Aberrations from theory.”
Burke.
2.
A partial alienation of reason.
“Occasional aberrations of intellect.”
Lingard.
Whims, which at first are the
aberrations
of a single brain, pass with heat into epidemic form.
I. Taylor.
3.
(Astron.)
A small periodical change of position in the stars and other heavenly bodies, due to the combined effect of the motion of light and the motion of the observer; called
annual aberration
, when the observer’s motion is that of the earth in its orbit, and daily or
diurnal aberration
, when of the earth on its axis; amounting when greatest, in the former case, to 20.4'', and in the latter, to 0.3''.
Planetary aberration
is that due to the motion of light and the motion of the planet relative to the earth.
4.
(Opt.)
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; called
spherical aberration
, when due to the spherical form of the lens or mirror, such form giving different foci for central and marginal rays; and
chromatic aberration
, when due to different refrangibilities of the colored rays of the spectrum, those of each color having a distinct focus.
5.
(Physiol.)
The passage of blood or other fluid into parts not appropriate for it.
6.
(Law)
The producing of an unintended effect by the glancing of an instrument, as when a shot intended for A glances and strikes B.
Syn. – Insanity; lunacy; madness; derangement; alienation; mania; dementia; hallucination; illusion; delusion. See
Insanity
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Aberration

ABERRA'TION

,
Noun.
[L. aberratio.]
1.
The act of wandering from the right way; deviation from truth or moral rectitude; deviation from a strait line.
2.
In astronomy, a small apparent motion of the fixed stars, occasioned by the progressive motion of light and the earth's annual motion in its orbit. By this, they sometimes appear twenty seconds distant from their true situation.
3.
In optics, a deviation in the rays of light when inflected by a lens or speculum, by which they are prevented from uniting in the same point. It is occasioned by the figure of the glass, or by the unequal refrangibility of the rays of light.
Crown of aberration, a luminous circle surrounding the disk of the sun, depending on the aberration of its rays, by which its apparent diameter is enlarged.

Definition 2024


Aberration

Aberration

See also: aberration

German

Noun

Aberration f (genitive Aberration, plural Aberrationen)

  1. aberration (deviation)
  2. (optics) aberration
  3. (physiology) aberration

Declension

aberration

aberration

See also: Aberration

English

Noun

aberration (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 16th century.][3]
    the aberration of youth
    aberrations from theory
    aberration of character
  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 18th century.][3]
  3. (astronomy) A small periodical change of position in the stars and other heavenly bodies, due to the combined effect of the motion of light and the motion of the observer. [Mid 18th century.][3]
  4. A partial alienation of reason. [Early 19th century.][3]
    • (Can we date this quote?), Lingard, (Please provide the title of the work):
      Occasional aberrations of intellect.
    • (Can we date this quote?), I. Taylor, (Please provide the title of the work):
      Whims, which at first are the aberrations of a single brain, pass with heat into epidemic form.
  5. A mental disorder, especially one of a minor or temporary character. [Early 19th century.][3]
  6. (zoology, botany) Atypical development or structure; deviation from the normal type; an aberrant organ. [Mid 19th century.][3]
  7. (medicine) A deviation of a tissue, organ or mental functions from what is considered to be within the normal range.

Derived terms

Translations

References

  1. Aberration at Dictionary.com
  2. Elliott K. Dobbie, C. William Dunmore, Robert K. Barnhart, et al. (editors), Chambers Dictionary of Etymology (Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd, 2004 [1998], ISBN 0550142304), page 2
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lesley Brown (editor), The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, 5th edition (Oxford University Press, 2003 [1933], ISBN 978-0-19-860575-7), page 4

French

Pronunciation

Noun

aberration f (plural aberrations)

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

Anagrams