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definitions

distortion

[ dih-stawr-shuh n ]
/ dɪˈstɔr ʃən /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR distortion ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an act or instance of distorting.
the state of being distorted or the relative degree or amount by which something is distorted or distorts.
anything that is distorted, as a sound, image, fact, etc.
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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RELATED WORDS

lie, exaggeration, misinterpretation, misstatement, bias, misuse, misrepresentation, story, coloring, crock, torture, perversion, buckle, jazz, slant, warp, contortion, twist, bend, smoke

Nearby words

  1. distomolar,
  2. distopulpal,
  3. distort,
  4. distorted,
  5. distortedly,
  6. distortion aberration,
  7. distoversion,
  8. distr.,
  9. distract,
  10. distracted
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. 2019

Examples from the Web for distortion

British Dictionary definitions for distortion

distortion

/ (dɪˈstɔːʃən) /

noun

the act or an instance of distorting or the state of being distorted
something that is distorted
an aberration of a lens or optical system in which the magnification varies with the lateral distance from the axis
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
psychol a change in perception so that it does not correspond to reality
psychoanal the disguising of the meaning of unconscious thoughts so that they may appear in consciousness, e.g. in dreams
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

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.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for distortion

distortion

[ dĭ-stôr′shən ]

n.

A twisting out of normal shape or form.
A psychological defense mechanism that helps to repress or disguise unacceptable thoughts.
Parataxic distortion.
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.