a. [A refashioning of the earlier ANORMAL (a. Fr. anormal, ad. med.L. anormal-us for anōmal-us, a. Gr. ἀνώμαλ-ος: see ANOMALOUS) after L. abnormis (see ABNORMOUS). Few words show such a series of pseudo-etymological perversions; Gr. ἀνώμαλ-ος, L. anōmal-us, having been altered in late L. after norma to anormălus, later anormālis, whence Fr. anormal (13th c.) and Eng. anormal; the latter referred to L. abnorm is, and altered to abnormal. It has displaced the earlier abnormous.] Deviating from the ordinary rule or type; contrary to rule or system; irregular, unusual, aberrant.
[1835. Hoblyn, Dict. of Medicine, Anormal (Lat. anormis) without rule [Abnormal not in].
1853. Mayne, Anormal, departing from the natural condition, the same as Abnormal.]
1835–6. Todd, Cycl. Anat. & Ph., I. 19. The relative positions of the contents of the abdomen, and the abnormal states of that cavity.
1836. Pen. Cycl., s.v. Botany, Abnormal, contrary to general rules.
1840. Hamble, Dict. Geol. & Min. Abnormal, Abnormous (abnormis Lat.) Irregular, unwonted, unnatural.
1841. Myers, Cath. Thoughts, iv. § 25. 302. The Mosaic system must always be considered as an abnormal, exceptional Dispensation.
1842. Fergusson, Pract. Surg., xxiii. 105. In false joints, as in most other abnormal conditions.
1859. Darwin, Orig. Species, v. 119 (1873). The wing of a bat is a most abnormal structure.
1871. Blackie, Four Phases, I. 121. The strange and abnormal habits of certain savage tribes.
1877. Roberts, Handbk. Med., I. 77 (ed. 3). Abnormal ingredients may be present.
1878. E. White, Life in Christ, V. xxxi. 533. Special mercy and abnormal compassion.
