Other forms: deviations
A deviation is the distance a value sits from the expected one. Standard deviation, a slight deviation, deviation from the mean.
Standard deviation is the standard measure of spread in a set of numbers, and roughly two thirds of a normal distribution falls within one of them either side of the mean. In navigation, deviation is the compass error caused by the ship's own iron. In ordinary use it means departure from a norm or a plan. Note deviate; and that the Latin means going off the road.
1noundeviationThe distance a value sits from the expected one.
“The engineers measured a tiny deviation from the correct temperature.”
2noundepartureA departure from a norm or plan.
“Any deviation from the agreed plan must be approved by the manager first.”
deviation is a departure from expectation.
Latin deviatio comes from deviare, to turn off the road — de plus via, a way. Via, obvious and trivial come from the same road.
Medieval Latin
deviatio
Middle French
deviation
English, today
deviation
From Middle French deviation, from Medieval Latin deviatio. Morphologically deviate + ion.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA