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distortion

[dih-stawr-shuh n]
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noun
  1. an act or instance of distorting.
  2. the state of being distorted or the relative degree or amount by which something is distorted or distorts.
  3. anything that is 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.
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Compare barrel distortion, pincushion distortion.

Origin of distortion

First recorded in 1575–85, distortion is from the Latin word distortiōn- (stem of distortiō). See distort, -ion
Related formsdis·tor·tion·al, dis·tor·tion·ar·y, adjectivenon·dis·tor·tion, nouno·ver·dis·tor·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

lieexaggerationmisinterpretationmisstatementbiasmisusemisrepresentationstorycoloringcrocktortureperversionbucklejazzslantwarpcontortiontwistbendsmoke

Examples from the Web for distortion

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • Watch and remodel details if any distortion attends the drying process.

    Taxidermy

    Leon Luther Pray

  • This distortion of the story is true to the traditions of legend-making.

  • It results in impoverishment and distortion and subsequent deficiency.

  • To feel for others what they do not feel for themselves is a distortion of sympathy which often afflicts me.

    The King's Mirror

    Anthony Hope

  • It was the ready exemplar of American distortion and absurdity in the domain of Art.

    Glances at Europe

    Horace Greeley

British Dictionary definitions for distortion

distortion

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
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Derived Formsdistortional, adjective
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

Word Origin and History for distortion

n.

1580s, "action of distorting," from Latin distortionem (nominative distortio), noun of action from past participle stem of distorquere (see distort). Figurative use (of words, etc.) from 1640s.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
distortion in Medicine

distortion

(dĭ-stôr′shən)
n.
  1. A twisting out of normal shape or form.
  2. A psychological defense mechanism that helps to repress or disguise unacceptable thoughts.
  3. Parataxic distortion.
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Related formsdis•tor′tion•al null adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.