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Noun: distortion  di'stor-shun
  1. A shape resulting from distortion
    "The distortion of the image in the funhouse mirror created a comical effect";
    - distorted shape
     
  2. A change for the worse
    "The distortion of facts in the report misled the public";
    - deformation
     
  3. The mistake of misrepresenting the facts
    "The reporter's distortion of the events led to a public apology"
     
  4. Excessive elaboration or subtlety, often leading to distortion of meaning
    "The critic accused the author of distortion in his overly complex prose";
    - overrefinement, straining, torture
     
  5. An optical phenomenon resulting from the failure of a lens or mirror to produce a good image
    "The cheap lens produced significant distortion at the edges of the photograph";
    - aberration, optical aberration
     
  6. 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)
    "heavy metal guitar players use vacuum tube amplifiers to produce extreme distortion"

Derived forms: distortions

Type of: acoustic phenomenon, damage, electrical phenomenon, error, falsification, fault, form, harm, impairment, misrepresentation, mistake, optical phenomenon, shape

Encyclopedia: Distortion