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aberration Definition

ab·er·ra·tion (ab′ər ās̸hən)

noun

  1. a departure from what is right, true, correct, etc.
  2. a deviation from the normal or the typical
  3. mental derangement or lapse
  4. Astron. a small, periodic apparent change in the observed position of a celestial object, caused by the constantly changing position of the earth and the finite speed of the object's light
  5. Optics
    1. the failure of light rays from one point to converge at a single focus
    2. a fault in a lens or mirror causing such failure

Etymology: L abberatio < aberrare: see aberrant

aberration Related Forms
ab′·er·ra·tional adjective
aberration Synonyms

aberration

n.

  1. Deviation

    irregularity, lapse, wandering; see difference 2.

  2. Abnormality

    strangeness, peculiarity, derangement; see characteristic, irregularity 2, quirk.

aberration Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • lens: The measured aberrations of the spherical lenses were much reduced relative to the original design ( figure 5 ).

Converse of object

  • minimize: Two ED glass elements minimize chromatic aberration in the entire zoom range while ensuring high resolution and contrast.
  • eliminate: They are good value for money but are not optically brilliant, a small aperture essential to eliminate the aberrations of the lens.
  • minimize: If you wish to maximize the polarization or minimize the aberrations of the TGM output this is done with this mask.
  • correct: The outstanding feature, being its superb ability to correct chromatic aberrations.
  • reduce: A lens system comprising two elements, used to reduce chromatic aberration.
  • associate: This male was in fine plumage showing no aberrations associated with it being an escape from captivity.

Adjective modifier

  • chromatic: I also looked into the immense size of chromatic aberration in the human eye.
  • chromosomal: However, no excess chromosomal aberrations in circulating human lymphocytes have been observed in patients treated for 8 months.
  • spherical: The image, despite the spherical aberration, was by far superior to any existing microscope made by his contemporaries.
  • cytogenetic: A further 10 % arising as a result of a parental translocation and the remainder arise as a result of an unusual cytogenetic aberration.
  • diurnal: The transformation from apparent to topocentric consists of allowing for diurnal aberration.
  • lateral: I knew the cause to be lateral chromatic aberration.

Modifies a noun

  • assay: Overall, the COM concluded that the results from the in vitro chromosomal aberration assays were likely to represent a cytotoxic response.
  • correction: The annual aberration is the aberration correction for an imaginary observer at the Earth's center.

Noun used with modifier

  • chromosome: A typical breast cancer, for example, will have 10 to 20 chromosome aberrations.
  • lens: The theoretical resolution is never obtained due to lens aberrations which are difficult to fully compensate for in electron optical systems.
  • mirror: The three models are summarized in Table 3.1 Table 3.1: A brief summary of the three models used for the NOT mirror aberrations.
  • color: Three SLD glass elements are employed for effective compensation of color aberration, which is a common problem with super-wide angle lenses.
  • color: The problem with many low priced cameras, is color aberration in the final image.
aberration Quotes

Body-line was not an incident, it was not an accident, it was not a temporary aberration. It was the violence and ferocity of our age expressing itself in cricket.

—James, C(yril) L(ionel) R(obert)

Browse dictionary entries near aberration

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  1. abet
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  7. abide by
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  10. Abigail