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Webster 1913 Edition


deviation

deˊvi-a′tion

,
Noun.
[LL.
deviatio
: cf. F.
déviation
.]
1.
The act of deviating; a wandering from the way; variation from the common way, from an established rule, etc.; departure, as from the right course or the path of duty.
2.
The state or result of having deviated; a transgression; an act of sin; an error; an offense.
3.
(Com.)
The voluntary and unnecessary departure of a ship from, or delay in, the regular and usual course of the specific voyage insured, thus releasing the underwriters from their responsibility.
Deviation of a falling body
(Physics)
,
that deviation from a strictly vertical line of descent which occurs in a body falling freely, in consequence of the rotation of the earth.
Deviation of the compass
,
the angle which the needle of a ship’s compass makes with the magnetic meridian by reason of the magnetism of the iron parts of the ship.
Deviation of the line of the vertical
,
the difference between the actual direction of a plumb line and the direction it would have if the earth were a perfect ellipsoid and homogeneous, – caused by the attraction of a mountain, or irregularities in the earth's density.

Webster 1828 Edition


Deviation

DEVIATION

,
Noun.
1.
A wandering or turning aside from the right way, course or line.
2.
Variation from a common or established rule, or from analogy.
3.
A wandering from the path of duty; want of conformity to the rules prescribed by God; error; sin; obliquity of conduct.
4.
In commerce, the voluntary departure of a ship, without necessity, from the regular and usual course of the specific voyage insured. This discharges the underwriters from their responsibility.

Definition 2024


deviation

deviation

See also: déviation

English

Noun

deviation (plural deviations)

  1. The act of deviating; a wandering from the way; variation from the common way, from an established rule, etc.; departure, as from the right course or the path of duty.
  2. The state or result of having deviated; a transgression; an act of sin; an error; an offense.
  3. (contract law) The voluntary and unnecessary departure of a ship from, or delay in, the regular and usual course of the specific voyage insured, thus releasing the underwriters from their responsibility.
  4. (Absolute Deviation) The shortest distance between the center of the target and the point where a projectile hits or bursts.
  5. (statistics) For interval variables and ratio variables, a measure of difference between the observed value and the mean.
  6. (metrology) The signed difference between a value and its reference value.

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