the act of departing from the right, normal, or usual course.
the act of deviating from the ordinary, usual, or normal type.
deviation from truth or moral rectitude.
mental irregularity or disorder, especially of a minor or temporary nature; lapse from a sound mental state.
Astronomy. apparent displacement of a heavenly body, owing to the motion of the earth in its orbit.
Optics. any disturbance of the rays of a pencil of light such that they can no longer be brought to a sharp focus or form a clear image.
Photography. a defect in a camera lens or lens system, due to flaws in design, material, or construction, that can distort the image.
Origin of aberration
First recorded in 1585–95; from Latin aberrātiōn- (stem of aberrātiō ) “distraction, diversion, relief (from pain or sorrow),” equivalent to aberrāt(us), past participle of aberrāre “to divert, forget for a time; to wander, deviate” + -iōn-; see origin at aberrant,-ion
We will also be investigating any aberrations and issues in the mail-in voting process as we find them, and telling the stories of the people and communities impacted most.
Millions of Mail-In Votes Have Already Been Cast in Battleground States. Track Their Progress Here.|by ProPublica|October 15, 2020|ProPublica
Our current era of seesawing power is the historical aberration, and as political scientist Frances Lee argues in her book Insecure Majorities, it has reshaped Congress and made bipartisan compromise nearly impossible.
The definitive case for ending the filibuster|Ezra Klein|October 1, 2020|Vox
The city’s death statistics reveal an aberration, ProPublica found.
Sent Home to Die|by Annie Waldman and Joshua Kaplan|September 2, 2020|ProPublica
The Civil War was clearly an aberration in American society and of profound significance.
The Man Who Made America: Simone Winchester Talks New Book|Eric Herschthal|October 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In fact, the very notion of restraint has become an aberration.
The 1 Percent Army: Andrew Bacevich on How America Lost the Military|Phil Klay|September 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
His actions may have been an aberration but his thinking, sadly, is not.
How To Take Purim Seriously|Shaul Magid|February 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But as the report pointed out time and time again, that dark era of violence in America was not some aberration.
Sorry, But Don’t Expect Any Change After Newtown|Buzz Bissinger|December 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST
How did this aberration come to pass and why has it persisted until now?
Victory for Pot Means Beginning of the End of Our Crazy Drug War|Martin A. Lee|November 8, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Juanita obviously thought that her father's aberration was a form of madness without foundation.
The City in the Clouds|C. Ranger Gull
The regulation of rays will here be treated only in systems free from aberration.
In 1727, Bradley determined it for direct stellar light by his great discovery of the aberration of the fixed stars.
History of the Intellectual Development of Europe, Volume II (of 2)|John William Draper
But will not the admission of a vorticose motion of the ethereal medium, affect the aberration of light?
Outlines of a Mechanical Theory of Storms|T. Bassnett
Aberration of light, an apparent motion in a star due to the earth's motion and the progressive motion of light.
The Nuttall Encyclopaedia|Edited by Rev. James Wood
British Dictionary definitions for aberration
aberration
/ (ˌæbəˈreɪʃən) /
noun
deviation from what is normal, expected, or usual
departure from truth, morality, etc
a lapse in control of one's mental faculties
opticsa defect in a lens or mirror that causes the formation of either a distorted image or one with coloured fringesSee also spherical aberration, chromatic aberration
astronomythe apparent displacement of a celestial body due to the finite speed of light and the motion of the observer with the earth
A deviation in the normal structure or number of chromosomes in an organism.
A defect in a lens or mirror that prevents light rays from being focused at a single point and results in a distorted or blurred image.♦ Aberration that results in distortion of color is called chromatic aberration.♦ Aberration that is caused by imperfections in the surface or shape of a spherical mirror or lens is called spherical aberration. See also astigmatismcoma2.