2 definitions found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Anomaly \A*nom"a*ly\, n.; pl {Anomalies}. [L. anomalia Gr ?.
See {Anomalous}.]
1. Deviation from the common rule an irregularity; anything
anomalous.
We are enabled to unite into a consistent whole the
various anomalies and contending principles that are
found in the minds and affairs of men. --Burke.
As Professor Owen has remarked, there is no greater
anomaly in nature than a bird that can not fly.
--Darwin.
2. (Astron.)
a The angular distance of a planet from its perihelion,
as seen from the sun. This is the true anomaly. The
eccentric anomaly is a corresponding angle at the
center of the elliptic orbit of the planet. The mean
anomaly is what the anomaly would be if the planet's
angular motion were uniform.
b The angle measuring apparent irregularities in the
motion of a planet.
3. (Nat. Hist.) Any deviation from the essential
characteristics of a specific type
From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]:
anomaly
n 1: deviation from the normal or common order or form or rule
[syn: {anomalousness}]
2: a person who is unusual [syn: {unusual person}]
3: (astronomy) position of a planet as defined by its angular
distance from its perihelion (as observed from the sun)
more about anomaly
browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
or search
thesauri
dictionary
search words
|
