Definition of aberrant

The word "aberrant" originates from the Latin phrase "aberrare," which means "to wander" or "to stray." In Latin, "ab" means "from" and "erare" means "to wander." The word was first used in English in the 14th century to describe something that was abnormal or deviating from a normal or expected pattern. Initially, it was used to describe a deviation from the truth or a mistake, but over time its meaning expanded to include any departure from the norm or standard. In the 17th century, the word took on its current sense, describing something that is unusual or unconventional. Today, "aberrant" is commonly used in fields like medicine and psychology to describe abnormal or deviant behavior or conditions. It can also be used more broadly to describe anything that is unusual or unconventional.