distortion

[dih-stawr-shuhn]

noun

1. an act or instance of distorting.

2. the state of being distorted distorted or the relative degree or amount by which something is distorted distorted or distorts.

3. anything that is distorted, distorted, as a sound, image, fact, etc.

4. Optics.,  an aberration of a lens or system of lenses in which the magnification of the object varies with the lateral distance from the axis of the lens.

distortion

/ dɪˈstɔːʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of distorting or the state of being distorted

2. something that is distorted

3. an aberration of a lens or optical system in which the magnification varies with the lateral distance from the axis

4. electronics

   1. an undesired change in the shape of an electromagnetic wave or signal

   2. the result of such a change in waveform, esp a loss of clarity in radio reception or sound reproduction

5. psychol a change in perception so that it does not correspond to reality

6. psychoanal the disguising of the meaning of unconscious thoughts so that they may appear in consciousness, e.g. in dreams

Other Word Forms

• distortional adjective
• distortionary adjective
• nondistortion noun
• overdistortion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of distortion¹

First recorded in 1575–85, distortion is from the Latin word distortiōn- (stem of distortiō ). See distort, -ion

Example Sentences

Inspired by Pink Floyd’s “The Wall,” Sonic Youth’s distortion, Black Sabbath’s symbolic lyricism and layered instrumentals, and surrealist artwork, “Mellon Collie” tested the Smashing Pumpkins’ limits as a band.

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They need lower prices and fewer supply chain distortions.

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The FCC then took it upon itself to ban what it called “news distortions.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The researchers traced the SHG distortion to optostriction, a process in which the electromagnetic field of light applies a mechanical force on atoms.

Read more on Science Daily

Helping patients limit information intake, identify cognitive distortions and tolerate uncertainty restores psychological flexibility, the capacity that obsession erodes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bias 
• exaggeration 
• lie 
• misinterpretation www.thesaurus.com
• misrepresentation 
• misstatement www.thesaurus.com
• misuse