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Anomaly vs Errant - What's the difference?

anomaly | errant |

As a noun anomaly

is a deviation from a rule or from what is regarded as normal.

As an adjective errant is

straying from the proper course or standard, or outside established limits.

anomaly

English

(wikipedia anomaly)

Noun

(anomalies)
  • A deviation from a rule or from what is regarded as normal.
  • * 1956 — , The City and the Stars , p 43
    • This ardent exploration, absorbing all his energy and interest, made him forget for the moment the mystery of his heritage and the anomaly that cut him off from all his fellows.
  • Something or someone that is strange or unusual.
    • He is an anomaly among his friends.
  • (science) Any event or measurement that is out of the ordinary regardless of whether it is exceptional or not.
  • (astronomy) Any of various angular distances.
  • (biology) A defect or malformation.
  • (quantum physics) A failure of a classical symmetry due to quantum corrections.
  • (dated) An irregularity or disproportion.

    • Synonyms

    * (deviation from the norm) abnormality, deviance, deviation, exception, inconsistency, irregularity, phenomenon

    Derived terms

    () * anomaloscope * anomalous * eccentric anomaly * flyby anomaly * mean anomaly * true anomaly

    External links

    * * *

    errant

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (l) (obsolete)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Straying from the proper course or standard, or outside established limits.
  • * Sir Thomas Browne
    • seven planets or errant stars in the lower orbs of heaven
  • Prone to making errors.
  • (proscribed) Utter, complete (negative); arrant.
  • * Ben Jonson
    • would make me an errant fool

    Usage notes

    Sometimes is considered simply an alternative spelling and pronunciation of errant', though many authorities distinguish them, reserving '''errant''' to mean “wandering” and using it ''after'' the noun it modifies, notably is “knight '''errant ”, while using ''arrant'' to mean “utter”, in a negative sense, and ''before'' the noun it modifies, notably in “''arrant knaves”. Etymologically, arrant arose as a variant of errant , but the meanings have long since diverged. Both terms are archaic, primarily used in set phrases (which may be considered ), and are easily confused, and on that basis some authorities suggest against using either.

    Synonyms

    *

    Derived terms

    * (l) * (l)

    References

    * “ arrant/errant”, Common Errors in English Usage, Paul Brians * On Language: Arrant Nonsense, (William Safire), January 22, 2006, (New York Times) * Merriam–Webster’s dictionary of English usage, 1995, “errant, arrant”, pp. 406–407

    Anagrams

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