ˌpərd.ərˈbāshən, ˌpərtərˈ-, ˌpərˌtərˈ-; ˌpə̄d.əˈ-, ˌpə̄təˈ-, ˌpə̄ˌtə̄ˈ-, ˌpəiˌtəiˈ- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English perturbacioun, from Middle French perturbation, from Latin perturbation-, perturbatio, from perturbatus + -ion-, -io -ion
1. : the action of perturbing or condition of being perturbed : commotion
the perturbations of the period of revolution — Ernest Barker
especially : mental or emotional disturbance or agitation
was in great perturbation of mind
2. : irregular variation in or alteration of or deviation from what is usual or expected (as in the orbital motion of a celestial body affected by extraordinary gravitational pull)
3. : alternation of tone conditioned by phonetic environment
• per·tur·ba·tion·al | ̷ ̷(ˌ) ̷ ̷|bāshən ə l, -shnəl adjective