A departure from what is normal, usual, or expected; a deviation from the typical pattern. In optics, a distortion in an image formed by a lens or mirror.
From Latin aberrationem, from aberrare meaning 'to wander away,' composed of ab- 'away from' and errare 'to wander.' The word entered English in the 16th century through scientific Latin, initially used in astronomy and optics before expanding to general usage.
Try Another Word