Definition of aberrant

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< Abernathy, Ralph David

aberrated >

ab·er·rant    (br-nt, -br-) KEY 

ADJECTIVE:

1. Deviating from the proper or expected course.
2. Deviating from what is normal; untrue to type.

NOUN:

One that is aberrant.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Latin aberrns, aberrant- present participle of aberrre, to go astray ; see aberration

OTHER FORMS:
aber·rance or aber·ran·cy(Noun), aber·rant·ly(Adverb)
Usage Note:
Traditionally aberrant has been pronounced with stress on the second syllable. In recent years, however, a pronunciation with stress on the first syllable has become equally common and may eventually supplant the older pronunciation. This change is owing perhaps to the influence of the words aberration and aberrated, which are stressed on the first syllable. The Usage Panel was divided almost evenly on the subject: 45 percent preferred the older pronunciation and 50 percent preferred the newer one. The remaining 5 percent of the Panelists said they use both pronunciations.