Aberration vs. Distortion — What's the Difference?

A deviation from what is typical or normal

Distortion is the alteration of the original shape (or other characteristic) of something. In communications and electronics it means the alteration of the waveform of an information-bearing signal, such as an audio signal representing sound or a video signal representing images, in an electronic device or communication channel.

A departure from what is considered natural or proper

The act or an instance of distorting.

An abnormal, usually temporary alteration in one's mental state.

The condition of being distorted.

A defect of focus, such as blurring in an image.

A statement that twists fact; a misrepresentation.

An imperfect image caused by a physical defect in an optical element, as in a lens.

The alteration of the original form of a signal representing an image, a sound, a waveform, or other information.

The apparent displacement of the position of a celestial body in the direction of motion of an observer on Earth, caused by the motion of Earth and the finite velocity of light.

A visible or audible effect of such an alteration, such as the warping of an image or noise in an audio recording.

(Genetics) A deviation in the normal structure or number of chromosomes in an organism.

(Psychology) The modification of unconscious impulses into forms acceptable by conscious or dreaming perception.

The act of wandering; deviation from truth, moral rectitude; abnormal; divergence from the straight, correct, proper, normal, or from the natural state.

An act of distorting.

(optics) The convergence to different foci, by a lens or mirror, of rays of light emanating from one and the same point, or the deviation of such rays from a single focus; a defect in a focusing mechanism that prevents the intended focal point.

A result of distorting.

(astronomy) A small periodical change of the apparent positions of the stars and other heavenly bodies, due to the combined effect of the motion of light and the motion of the observer.

A misrepresentation of the truth.

The tendency of light rays to preferentially strike the leading face of a moving object (the effect underlying the above phenomenon).

Noise or other artifacts caused in the electronic reproduction of sound or music.

A partial alienation of reason.

An effect used in music, most commonly on guitars in rock or metal.

A mental disorder, especially one of a minor or temporary character.

(optics) an aberration that causes magnification to change over the field of view.

Atypical development or structure; deviation from the normal type; an aberrant organ.

The act of distorting, or twisting out of natural or regular shape; a twisting or writhing motion; as, the distortions of the face or body.

(medicine) A deviation of a tissue, organ or mental functions from what is considered to be within the normal range.

A wresting from the true meaning.

(electronics) A defect in an image produced by an optical or electrostatic lens system.

The state of being distorted, or twisted out of shape or out of true position; crookedness; perversion.

The act of wandering; deviation, especially from truth or moral rectitude, from the natural state, or from a type.

An unnatural deviation of shape or position of any part of the body producing visible deformity.

A partial alienation of reason.

A change for the worse

A small periodical change of position in the stars and other heavenly bodies, due to the combined effect of the motion of light and the motion of the observer; called annual aberration, when the observer's motion is that of the earth in its orbit, and daily or diurnal aberration, when of the earth on its axis; amounting when greatest, in the former case, to 20.4'', and in the latter, to 0.3''. Planetary aberration is that due to the motion of light and the motion of the planet relative to the earth.

A shape resulting from distortion

The convergence to different foci, by a lens or mirror, of rays of light emanating from one and the same point, or the deviation of such rays from a single focus; called spherical aberration, when due to the spherical form of the lens or mirror, such form giving different foci for central and marginal rays; and chromatic aberration, when due to different refrangibilities of the colored rays of the spectrum, those of each color having a distinct focus.

An optical phenomenon resulting from the failure of a lens or mirror to produce a good image

The passage of blood or other fluid into parts not appropriate for it.

A change (usually undesired) in the waveform of an acoustic or analog electrical signal; the difference between two measurements of a signal (as between the input and output signal);

The producing of an unintended effect by the glancing of an instrument, as when a shot intended for A glances and strikes B.

The act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean

A state or condition markedly different from the norm

The mistake of misrepresenting the facts

A disorder in one's mental state

An optical phenomenon resulting from the failure of a lens or mirror to produce a good image