nor´mal|ness

nor|mal «NR muhl», adjective, noun.

–adj.

1. of the usual standard or type; regular; usual: »

The normal temperature of the human body is 98.6 degrees. A normal day's work is eight hours.

SYNONYM(S): natural, typical.

2. Psychology. a) mentally healthy; not showing mental disorder; sane: »

The borderline between the…normal and abnormal states is indistinct (Sigmund Freud).

b) of average intelligence or emotional stability.

3. well; healthy; not diseased; functioning normally: »

In a group of normal children of the same age the difference between the tallest and the shortest may be very great (Sidonie M. Gruenberg).

4. Chemistry. a) (of an acidic or basic solution) containing the equivalent of one gram of hydrogen ions per liter. Abbr: N. b) of or denoting an aliphatic hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon derivative consisting of a straight unbranched chain of carbon atoms, each carbon atom of which is united with no more than two other carbon atoms. c) not found in association: »

normal molecules.

5. Geometry. a) being at right angles; perpendicular. b) of or like a normal line or plane.

6. Electricity. (of a galvanic cell) having a voltage that can be reproduced.

–n.

1. the usual state or level: »

He is ten pounds above normal for his age.

SYNONYM(S): average.

2. Geometry. a) a line or plane that is at right angles to another. b) the intercepted part of the line (on the normal line) between the curve and the x-axis.

3. a normal person in mental ability or adjustment.

4. Psychology. average intelligence or emotional stability.

5. Optics. a perpendicular to a mirror which strikes the mirror at the point of reflection.

╂[< Latin nōrmālis < nōrma a rule, pattern]

–nor´mal|ness, noun.