perturbation

[ pur-ter-bey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of perturbing.
2. the state of being perturbed.
3. mental disquiet, disturbance, or agitation.
4. a cause of mental disquiet, disturbance, or agitation.
5. Astronomy. deviation of a celestial body from a regular orbit about its primary, caused by the presence of one or more other bodies that act upon the celestial body.

perturbation

/ ˌpɜːtəˈbeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of perturbing or the state of being perturbed
2. a cause of disturbance or upset
3. 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 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

/ pûr′tər-bā′shən /

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—Pluto—that was causing the perturbation. Perturbations in the orbits of stars have led to the discovery of planetary systems outside of our Solar system.

Other Words From

• pertur·bation·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of perturbation¹

1325–75; < Latin perturbātiōn- (stem of perturbātiō; perturb, -ation ); replacing Middle English perturbacioun < Anglo-French < Latin, as above

Example Sentences

It's also regarded as a potential tipping element of the Earth's climate, meaning that a tiny perturbation could push the system to a point of no return.

From Science Daily

The researchers could introduce a genetic perturbation and see how that might affect the network and an individual's health.

From Science Daily

But Jin's new screening method allows for rapid expression of perturbation agents in living cells within 48 hours -- meaning scientists can quickly see how specific genes function in different types of cells in a very short amount of time.

From Science Daily

In a pilot study using this new technology, Jin and her team's interest was piqued when they saw a genetic perturbation elicit different effects when perturbed in different cell types.

From Science Daily

"Despite their smaller population representations, some low-abundant cell types may have a stronger impact than others by the genetic perturbation, and when we systematically look at other cell types across multiple genes, we see patterns. That's why single-cell resolution -- being able to study every cell and how each one behaves -- can offer us a systematic view," Jin says.

From Science Daily