deviation
UK: ˌdiːviˈeɪʃən | US: ˌdiːviˈeɪʃən
n. a departure from a standard or norm
n. (statistics) the difference between an observed value and the expected value
n. (navigation) the deflection of a compass needle due to local magnetic fields
The word "deviation" originates from Latin deviare ("to turn aside"), combining de- (away) and via (way). The root via persists in English words like "viaduct" and "voyage." The suffix -ation nominalizes the action, forming a term for the act of straying from a path or norm. Over time, its meaning expanded to abstract contexts (e.g., statistical or behavioral divergence).
The pilot corrected the plane's deviation from its flight path.
A slight deviation in the experiment's results suggested measurement error.
Cultural deviation from traditions often sparks debate.
The compass showed magnetic deviation near the power lines.
His behavior was a clear deviation from company policy.