aberrancy

noun

ab·​er·​ran·​cy a-ˈber-ən(t)-sē How to pronounce aberrancy (audio)
ə-,
-ˈbe-rən(t)-;
ˈa-bə-rən(t)- How to pronounce aberrancy (audio)
-ˌber-ən(t)-,
-ˌbe-rən(t)-
plural aberrancies
: the quality or state of being aberrant : deviation from what is known, usual, or expected
Sleep is a sophisticated behavior, just like walking and thinking, with its own set of age-related norms and plenty of room for idiosyncrasy, aberrancy and downright criminal behavior.Abigail Zuger
also : an instance of such deviation
It's presented in the media as if it's an aberrancy, when actually it's the rule. David Brown
But each song follows the rules of the genre it is spoofing, with no aberrancies beyond the lyrics, and the song lyrics are always meant to rhyme. Tex Kerschen

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of aberrancy was in 1646

Dictionary Entries Near aberrancy

Cite this Entry

“Aberrancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aberrancy. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!