adjective
anomalous
uh-NAH-muh-lus/əˈnɑːmələs/
Different from what is normal or expected.
One anomalous plant breaks the otherwise uniform pattern.
Etymology
The pieces mean “not even,” giving the image of unevenness or irregularity. Applied to a rule or pattern rather than a surface, this describes something that departs from what is normal or expected.
In context
Once we've ruled out all the sort of standard explanations, you have to entertain a number of anomalous ones. And the first one is to what extent is the medium simply reading the mind of the living person.
More examples
- His sudden silence seemed anomalous in such a talkative person.
- The data contained one anomalous reading.
- An anomalous warm day interrupted the cold spell.
Forms
anomalous · more anomalous · most anomalous
anomaly noun — an unexpected departure from a pattern
Similar words
- abnormal
- Abnormal is outside a norm; anomalous often identifies an exception that calls for explanation.
- atypical
- Atypical is not representative; anomalous more strongly suggests an unexpected deviation.