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perturbation

   Also found in: Medical, Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
per·tur·ba·tion  (pûrtr-bshn)
n.
1.
a. The act of perturbing.
b. The state of being perturbed; agitation.
2.
a. A small change in a physical system.
b. Physics & Astronomy Variation in a designated orbit, as of a planet, resulting from the influence of one or more external bodies.

pertur·bation·al adj.

perturbation [ˌpɜːtəˈbeɪʃən]
n
1. the act of perturbing or the state of being perturbed
2. a cause of disturbance or upset
3. (Physics / General Physics) Physics a secondary influence on a system that modifies simple behaviour, such as the effect of the other electrons on one electron in an atom
4. (Astronomy) Astronomy a small continuous deviation in the inclination and eccentricity of the orbit of a planet or comet, due to the attraction of neighbouring planets

perturbation  (pûrtr-bshn)
1. A small change in a physical system, most often in a physical system at equilibrium that is disturbed from the outside.
2. Variation in a designated orbit, as of a planet, that results from the influence of one or more external bodies. Gravitational attraction between planets can cause perturbations and cause a planet to deviate from its expected orbit. Perturbations in Neptune's orbit led to the discovery of the object that was causing the perturbationthe planet Pluto. Perturbations in the orbits of stars have led to the discovery of planetary systems outside of our Solar system.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.perturbationperturbation - an unhappy and worried mental state; "there was too much anger and disturbance"; "she didn't realize the upset she caused me"
agitation - a mental state of extreme emotional disturbance
2.perturbation - (physics) a secondary influence on a system that causes it to deviate slightly
natural philosophy, physics - the science of matter and energy and their interactions; "his favorite subject was physics"
influence - the effect of one thing (or person) on another; "the influence of mechanical action"
variation - (astronomy) any perturbation of the mean motion or orbit of a planet or satellite (especially a perturbation of the earth's moon)
3.perturbationperturbation - activity that is a malfunction, intrusion, or interruption; "the term `distress' connotes some degree of perturbation and emotional upset"; "he looked around for the source of the disturbance"; "there was a disturbance of neural function"
activity - any specific behavior; "they avoided all recreational activity"
bother, hassle, trouble, fuss - an angry disturbance; "he didn't want to make a fuss"; "they had labor trouble"; "a spot of bother"
magnetic storm - a sudden disturbance of the earth's magnetic field; caused by emission of particles from the sun
4.perturbationperturbation - a disposition that is confused or nervous and upset
discomposure - a temperament that is perturbed and lacking in composure
5.perturbation - the act of causing disorder
disturbance - the act of disturbing something or someone; setting something in motion
breakdown, dislocation - the act of disrupting an established order so it fails to continue; "the social dislocations resulting from government policies"; "his warning came after the breakdown of talks in London"
surprisal, surprise - the act of surprising someone
Translations
perturbation [ˌpɜːtɜːˈbeɪʃən] N
1. (= distress) → inquietud f, preocupación f
2. (= disturbance) (esp Phys, Astron) → perturbación f
perturbation
n (= state)Unruhe f; (= act)Beunruhigung f; to be in (a state of) perturbationziemlich in Unruhe sein


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
Every time I ascended to the deck from my watches below, I instantly gazed aft to mark if any strange face were visible; for my first vague disquietude touching the unknown captain, now in the seclusion of the sea, became almost a perturbation.
what perturbation and what evil thoughts, not seeing underneath the sorrows of impermanence, the impurity, the unreality
He was beginning, then, to dart at them glances full of mistrust and uneasiness, inviting Anne of Austria to throw perturbation in the midst of the unlawful assembly, when, suddenly, Bernouin, entering from behind the tapestry of the bedroom, whispered in the ear of Mazarin, "Monseigneur, an envoy from his majesty, the king of England.
 
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