Anomaly

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /əˈnÉ’mÉ™lɪ/
• US IPA: /əˈnÉ‘mÉ™li/

Origin

From Latin anomalia, from Ancient Greek ἀνωμαλία (anomalia, "irregularity, anomaly"), from ἀνώμαλος (anomalos, "irregular, uneven"), negating the meaning of ὁμαλός (homalos, "even"), from ὁμός (homos, "same").

Full definition of anomaly

Noun

1. A deviation from a rule or from what is regarded as normal.
• 1956 — Arthur C. Clarke, The City and the Stars, p 43This ardent exploration, absorbing all his energy and interest, made him forget for the moment the mystery of his heritage and the anomaly that cut him off from all his fellows.
2. Something or someone that is strange or unusual.He is an anomaly among his friends.
3. (science) Any event or measurement that is out of the ordinary regardless of whether it is exceptional or not.
4. (astronomy) Any of various angular distances.
5. (biology) A defect or malformation.
6. (quantum physics) A failure of a classical symmetry due to quantum corrections.
7. (dated) An irregularity or disproportion.

Synonyms

• (deviation from the norm) abnormality, deviance, deviation, exception, inconsistency, irregularity, phenomenon

Derived terms