R E F E R E N C E S
1 Deviate vb [L deviatus, pp. of deviare, fr. L de- + via way -more at Way] vi [ca. 1633] 1: to stray esp. from a standard, principle, or topic 2: to depart from an established course or norm -vt: to cause to turn out of a previous course
-syn see Swerve
2 Deviate n [1912] 1: one that deviates from a norm: esp: a person who differs markedly from a group norm 2: a stratistical variable that gives the deviation of another variable from a fixed value [as the mean]
3 Deviate adj [1929]: departing significantly from the behavioral norms of a particular society
Deviation n [15c]: an act or instance of deviating; as a: deflection of the needle of a compass caused by local magnetic influences [as in a ship] b: the difference between a value in a frequency distribution and a fixed number [as a mean] c: departure from an established ideology or party line d: noticeable or marked departure from accepted norms of behavior
[Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th Edition. Springfield, MA, USA: Merriam-Webster, Inc. 1995.]
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