non-regularadj.n.
/nɒnˈrɛɡjᵿlə/, U.S. /nɑnˈrɛɡ(jə)lər/ A. adj.
1. That is not usual or habitual; that does not occur regularly; that does not follow the usual rule or pattern; nonstandard.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > disorder > irregularity > unconformity > [adjective] > deviating from rule or standard
exorbitant1534
unorthodox1629
aberrant1778
aberrated1786
divergent1801
radical1869
nonstandard1870
non-regular1896
non-regulation1953
non-conformant1960
alternative1962
sideways1969
alternate1970
marginala1988
alt1988
1896 Ann. Math. 10 156 (title) The non-regular transitive substitution groups whose order is the cube of any prime number.
1935 Amer. Jrnl. Sociol. 40 758 Another third stated that they had lost a Civil Works job or some other non-regular government employment.
1971 N.Y. Times 15 Apr. 48/2 To make more teachers available for classroom service..all nonregular teaching activities would have [to] be curtailed.
1991 D. Wells Penguin Dict. Curious & Interesting Geom. 217 The first stellation is also the result of interpenetrating three non-regular octahedra, each formed by compressing a regular octahedron along one of its major axes.
2000 Paper Technol. Feb. 34/2 A graphical flowsheet interface makes simulation more user friendly and easier to communicate with non-regular users of the software.
2. Military. = irregular adj. 9.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > armed forces > the Army > branch of army > [adjective] > irregular
tumultuary1590
irregular1856
non-regular1919
1919 G. Arthur Let. 28 Dec. (1932) 76 3,000 non-regular officers who plead that their meritorious war services entitle them to commissions in the regular army.
1946 Hansard Commons 27 Mar. in R.A.F. Jrnl. May 167 We attach the utmost importance to these non-regular forces.
1998 New Straits Times (Malaysia) (Nexis) 1 Mar. 1 As non-regular soldiers, they had been trained by the army, and should be able to carry out operations effectively.
B. n.
1. Military. = irregular n. 2b.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > armed forces > the Army > branch of army > [noun] > irregulars
tumultuary1654
watch1739
irregular1747
campoo1803
pioneer corps1845
harka1903
Legion of Frontiersmen1905
non-regular1909
1909 Westm. Gaz. 16 Sept. 2/1 That narrowness of ideas..which has in the past afflicted..Regular and non-Regular alike.
1925 Amer. Mercury Oct. 185/2 Only regulars and non-regulars who have skilled training and hardening are reliable on the field of battle.
1997 J. E. Cookson Brit. Armed Nation 82 Windham..was the first war minister whose plans attempted to impose a unity on Britain's diverse military forces, especially in linking regulars and non-regulars.
2. A person who is not a regular customer, contributor, participant, visitor, etc. (cf. regular adj. 4c); (spec. in Sport) a person who does not play regularly in a particular team.
ΚΠ
1963 S. W. Gellerman Motivation & Productivity i. iv. 57 Most of the men in the department turned out work at essentially the same low rate. This was true of the ‘regulars’ who made up the main informal group and also of many non-regulars who did not belong.
1979 Washington Post (Nexis) 14 Oct. (Mag. section) 25 The food is good in an unremarkable way, but the service plays favourites so that non-regulars can experience long delays.
1987 Los Angeles Times (Nexis) 7 June iii. 10/3 The Angels' other run came when designated hitter Mark Ryal, another nonregular, homered in the seventh to tie the game at 1-1.
2000 Scotsman (Electronic ed.) 15 Apr. Having missed only two cup finals since 1955, I have always regarded the day as a celebratory vehicle for non-regulars and habituees alike.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, December 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.n.1896