perturbation Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an unhappy and worried mental state
    disturbance; upset.
    • there was too much anger and disturbance
    • she didn't realize the upset she caused me
  2. noun (physics) a secondary influence on a system that causes it to deviate slightly
  3. noun activity that is a malfunction, intrusion, or interruption
    disturbance.
    • 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
  4. noun a disposition that is confused or nervous and upset
    fluster.
  5. noun the act of causing disorder
    disruption.

WordNet

Per`tur*ba"tion noun
Etymology
L. perturbatio: cf. F. perturbation.
Definitions
  1. The act of perturbing, or the state of being perturbed; esp., agitation of mind.
  2. (Astron.) A disturbance in the regular elliptic or other motion of a heavenly body, produced by some force additional to that which causes its regular motion; as, the perturbations of the planets are caused by their attraction on each other. Newcomb.

Webster 1913