Abnormality  

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Painting showing spasms in a patient suffering from tetanus by Sir Charles Bell.

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1. The state or quality of being abnormal; variation; irregularity - Darwin
2. Something abnormal

Abnormality is a subjectively defined characteristic, assigned to those with rare or dysfunctional conditions. Defining who is normal or abnormal is a contentious issue in abnormal psychology.

Etymology

A replacement for the earlier anormal French anormal, Late Latin anormalus for anomalus, Greek. Confused with Latin abnormis. See anomalous, abnormous, anormal

Adjective

1. Not conformed to rule or system; deviating from the type; anomalous; irregular.

   Quotations

   • That deviating from the type; anomalous; irregular. - Froude

   Example

   • The doctor said the chest X-ray showed nothing abnormal and that I'd be okay.

2. Concerned with abnormal behaviour: abnormal psychology.
3. (informal) Odd; strange.

See

• Non mainstream