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PERTURBATION
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
The act of causing disorder
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("perturbation" is a kind of...):
disturbance (the act of disturbing something or someone; setting something in motion)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "perturbation"):
breakdown; dislocation (the act of disrupting an established order so it fails to continue)
surprisal; surprise (the act of surprising someone)
Derivation:
perturb (throw into great confusion or disorder)
perturb (disturb or interfere with the usual path of an electron or atom)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A disposition that is confused or nervous and upset
Synonyms:
fluster; perturbation
Classified under:
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects
Hypernyms ("perturbation" is a kind of...):
discomposure (a temperament that is perturbed and lacking in composure)
Derivation:
perturb (throw into great confusion or disorder)
perturb (disturb in mind or make uneasy or cause to be worried or alarmed)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Activity that is a malfunction, intrusion, or interruption
Example:
there was a disturbance of neural function
Synonyms:
disturbance; perturbation
Classified under:
Hypernyms ("perturbation" is a kind of...):
activity (any specific behavior)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "perturbation"):
bother; fuss; hassle; trouble (an angry disturbance)
magnetic storm (a sudden disturbance of the earth's magnetic field; caused by emission of particles from the sun)
Sense 4
Meaning:
(physics) a secondary influence on a system that causes it to deviate slightly
Classified under:
Nouns denoting natural phenomena
Hypernyms ("perturbation" is a kind of...):
influence (the effect of one thing (or person) on another)
Domain category:
natural philosophy; physics (the science of matter and energy and their interactions)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "perturbation"):
variation ((astronomy) any perturbation of the mean motion or orbit of a planet or satellite (especially a perturbation of the earth's moon))
Derivation:
perturb (cause a celestial body to deviate from a theoretically regular orbital motion, especially as a result of interposed or extraordinary gravitational pull)
perturb (disturb or interfere with the usual path of an electron or atom)
Sense 5
Meaning:
An unhappy and worried mental state
Example:
she didn't realize the upset she caused me
Synonyms:
disturbance; perturbation; upset
Classified under:
Nouns denoting stable states of affairs
Hypernyms ("perturbation" is a kind of...):
agitation (a mental state of extreme emotional disturbance)
Derivation:
perturb (disturb in mind or make uneasy or cause to be worried or alarmed)
Context examples:
This debris resulted in significant temporary changes to the planet's upper atmosphere and possible longer-term perturbations.
(Mars Spacecraft Reveal Comet Flyby Effects on Martian Atmosphere, NASA)
She had changed her position; and, with her eyes fixed intently on one of the windows, was listening to her uncle in the utmost perturbation and dismay.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
Also, there were comings and goings, and the erstwhile placid atmosphere of the cabin was vexed with strange perturbations and unrest.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
Before I left him I remembered what Jonathan put in his diary of the Professor's perturbation at reading something in an evening paper at the station at Exeter; so, seeing that Dr. Seward keeps his newspapers, I borrowed the files of "The Westminster Gazette" and "The Pall Mall Gazette," and took them to my room.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
When these particles and the magnetic disturbances encounter Earth's magnetic field, they interact in a series of complex physical processes, and trigger perturbations in the Earth's magnetic field.
(Solar Storms Can Drain Electrical Charge Above Earth, NASA)
Miss Woodhouse, what do you think has happened! which instantly burst forth, had all the evidence of corresponding perturbation.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
Elizabeth, as they drove along, watched for the first appearance of Pemberley Woods with some perturbation; and when at length they turned in at the lodge, her spirits were in a high flutter.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
This he received without perturbation, though he obeyed it by keeping his distance; but he remained interested in the other sounds—faint, muffled sobbings and slubberings.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
The cousin who was travelling towards them could hardly have less than visited their agitated spirits—one all happiness, the other all varying and indescribable perturbation.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
But her mind had never been in such perturbation; and it needed a very strong effort to appear attentive and cheerful till the usual hour of separating allowed her the relief of quiet reflection.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
