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aberrant

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The definition of aberrant is something that does not follow the correct or expected course or something that is not typical or normal.

(adjective)

An example of an aberrant behavior would be a usually calm person having a fit of rage.
An example of an aberrant animal would be a flying squirrel.

See aberrant in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

turning away from what is right, true, etc.
deviating from what is normal or typical

Origin: < L aberrans, prp. of aberrare, to go astray < ab-, from + errare, to wander: see err

noun

an aberrant person or thing

Related Forms:

aberrance noun or aberrancy

See aberrant in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Deviating from the proper or expected course.
Deviating from what is normal; untrue to type.

noun

One that is aberrant.

Origin:

Origin: Latin aberrāns, aberrant-

Origin: , present participle of aberrāre, to go astray; see aberration

Related Forms:

abˈer·rance, abˈer·ran·cy noun

abˈer·rant·ly adverb

Usage Note: Traditionally aberrant has been pronounced with stress on the second syllable. In recent years, however, a pronunciation with stress on the first syllable has become equally common and may eventually supplant the older pronunciation. This change is owing perhaps to the influence of the words aberration and aberrated, which are stressed on the first syllable. The Usage Panel was divided almost evenly on the subject: 45 percent preferred the older pronunciation and 50 percent preferred the newer one. The remaining 5 percent of the Panelists said they use both pronunciations.

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