n.
Pronunciation: ˌ d ē -v ē - ' ā -sh ə n
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 \ -sh ə - ˌ ni-z ə m \ noun
– de · vi · a · tion · ist \ -sh( ə -)nist \ noun or adjective