First Known Use: circa 1780
Dictionary
1aberrant
adjective ab·er·rant \a-ˈber-ənt, ə-, -ˈbe-rənt; ˈa-bə-rənt, -ˌber-ənt, -ˌbe-rənt\
: different from the usual or natural type : unusual or abnormal
Full Definition of ABERRANT
1
: straying from the right or normal way
2
— ab·er·rance \-ən(t)s\ noun
— ab·er·ran·cy \-ən(t)-sē\ noun
— ab·er·rant·ly adverb
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Examples of ABERRANT
- The stones, silvered in the moon's aberrant light, shone like spectral tombs, and the figures, which Dalgliesh knew were Helena, Lettie and the Bostocks, became discarnate shapes disappearing into the darkness. —P.D. James, The Private Patient, 2008
- … as if he had happily spied an aberrant crocus amid the wintry gray scene of Presidential impeachment. —Francis X. Clines, New York Times, 8 Jan. 1999
- … at the brief and aberrant moment in time when it was possible to believe that America owed its great place in the world to its military and moral virtue rather than to the weight of its currency. —Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, March 1992
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Origin of ABERRANT
Latin aberrant-, aberrans, present participle of aberrare to go astray, from ab- + errare to wander, err
Related to ABERRANT
- Synonyms
- exceptional, aberrated, abnormal, anomalous, atypical, especial, exceeding, extraordinaire, extraordinary, freak, odd, peculiar, phenomenal, preternatural, rare, singular, uncommon, uncustomary, unique, unusual, unwonted
- Antonyms
- common, customary, normal, ordinary, typical, unexceptional, unextraordinary, usual
Rhymes with ABERRANT
2aberrant
noun ab·er·rant \a-ˈber-ənt, ə-, -ˈbe-rənt; ˈa-bə-rənt, -ˌber-ənt, -ˌbe-rənt\
Definition of ABERRANT
1
: a group, individual, or structure that is not normal or typical : an aberrant group, individual, or structure
2
: a person whose behavior departs substantially from the standard
Origin of ABERRANT
(see 1aberrant)
First Known Use: 1938
Medical Dictionary
aberrant
adjective ab·er·rant \a-ˈber-ənt, ə-; ˈab-ə-rənt, -ˌe(ə)r-ənt\
Medical Definition of ABERRANT
1
: straying from the right or normal way <aberrant behavior>
2
: deviating from the usual or natural type : atypical <aberrant salivary tissue>
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