Definition

1. Noun:
   • Deviation from the normal or common order, form, or rule: A departure from what is standard, normal, or expected.
   • An unusual person or thing: Someone or something that is different from what is usual or expected.
   • (Astronomy) The angular distance of a planet or satellite from its perihelion or perigee: A specific technical measurement in celestial mechanics.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The test results showed a statistical anomaly that required further investigation.
  • His cheerful demeanor in such a stressful office was considered an anomaly.
  • Scientists calculated the planet's anomaly to predict its orbital position.

Advanced Usage

• "to be an anomaly": to be an exception or irregularity.
  • A snowstorm in July is an anomaly in this region.
• "statistical anomaly": a data point that differs significantly from other observations.
  • The sudden spike in website traffic was flagged as a statistical anomaly.

Variants and Related Words

• Anomalous (adj): Deviating from what is standard, normal, or expected.
  • The researchers found anomalous data that didn't fit their model.
• Anomalously (adv): In an anomalous manner.
  • The material behaved anomalously under extreme pressure.

Synonyms

• Aberration: A departure from what is normal, usual, or expected.
• Irregularity: The state or quality of being irregular; something that is irregular.
• Exception: A person or thing that is excluded from a general statement or does not follow a rule.

Related Phrases

• Gravity anomaly (n): A deviation in the Earth's gravitational field from a predicted value.
  • The map of gravity anomalies helped identify mineral deposits.
• Temperature anomaly (n): The difference between an observed temperature and a long-term average.
  • The report highlighted a significant global temperature anomaly for the decade.

Idioms

• "The exception that proves the rule": An idiom often used when an anomaly is cited, suggesting that the existence of an exception confirms the general rule.
  • He's usually very punctual, so his lateness today is the exception that proves the rule.

Noun

1. (astronomy) position of a planet as defined by its angular distance from its perihelion (as observed from the sun)
2. a person who is unusual
3. deviation from the normal or common order or form or rule