Main Entry: de·vi·a·tion

Pronunciation: \ˌdē-vē-ˈā-shən\

Function: noun

Date: 15th century

: 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 the mean) c : departure from an established ideology or party line d : noticeable or marked departure from accepted norms of behavior

— de·vi·a·tion·ism \-shə-ˌni-zəm\ noun

— de·vi·a·tion·ist \-sh(ə-)nist\ noun or adjective