mean deviation

noun

, Statistics.

1. a measure of dispersion, computed by taking the arithmetic mean of the absolute values of the deviations of the functional values from some central value, usually the mean or median.

mean deviation

noun

1. the difference between an observed value of a variable and its mean
2. Alsomean deviation from the meanmean deviation from the medianaverage deviation a measure of dispersion derived by computing the mean of the absolute values of the differences between observed values of a variable and the variable's mean

mean deviation

1. In a statistical distribution, the average of the absolute values of the differences between individual numbers and their mean.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mean deviation¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

If the refracting angle of the prism is small, then the ratio of the dispersion to the mean deviation of the two rays is the dispersive power of the material of the prism.

From Project Gutenberg