aberrant

[ uh-ber-uhnt, ab-er- ]

/ əˈbɛr ənt, ˈæb ər- /

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adjective

departing from the right, normal, or usual course.

deviating from the ordinary, usual, or normal type; exceptional; abnormal.

noun

an aberrant person, thing, group, etc.

Nearby words

aberdevine, aberdonian, aberfan, abernathy, abernethy, aberrant, aberrant ductule, aberrant goiter, aberrant regeneration, aberrated, aberration

Origin of aberrant

First recorded in 1820–30, aberrant is from the Latin word aberrant- (stem of aberrāns, present participle of aberrāre to deviate). See ab-, errant

SYNONYMS FOR aberrant

1 wandering.

2 divergent, unusual.

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Related forms

ab·er·rance, ab·er·ran·cy, nounab·er·rant·ly, adverb

Can be confused

aberrant abhorrent

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for aberrancy

aberrant

/ (æˈbɛrənt) /

adjective

deviating from the normal or usual type, as certain animals from the group in which they are classified

behaving in an abnormal or untypical way

deviating from truth, morality, etc

Derived Forms

aberrance or aberrancy, noun

Word Origin for aberrant

rare before c19: from the present participle of Latin aberrāre to wander away

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for aberrancy

aberrant

[ ă-bĕr′ənt, ăb′ər- ]

adj.

Deviating from the usual course, as certain ducts, vessels, or nerves.

Deviating from the normal; untrue to type.

Out of place; ectopic.

Related forms

ab•er′ran•cy n.