Irregular
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2007-12-04T01:23:31Z
Billscottbob
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/69.182.58.22|69.182.58.22]] to last version by STBotD
{{Wiktionary|irregular}}
Something that is '''irregular''' does not follow the expected pattern. The term is used in many different fields, with quite different meanings.
* In [[astronomy]], an [[astronomical object]] whose shape or behavior varies considerably from the [[archetype]] is called an irregular. This applies to [[irregular galaxy]], [[irregular variable]], [[asteroid]], [[Impact crater|crater]], [[orbit]], [[planet]], [[moon]] or natural [[satellite]].
* In [[language]], it is applied to a word that does not follow the most common rules of the language, such as [[irregular verb]], [[plural]] or [[spelling]]. See [[irregularity (linguistics)]].
* In [[business]], [[law]], [[politics]], [[science]] and related fields, an irregular procedure, typically called an '''irregularity''', is an action that does not completely follow the agreed standards, though it does not violate them. By itself, a single irregularity is of little consequence, but when many irregularities occur together, they may be signs of hidden [[fraud]], misconduct or malfeasance. See [[creative accounting]] and [[2004 U.S. presidential election controversy and irregularities]] for examples.
* In [[manufacturing]], an irregular is a product that does not meet the accepted levels of quality, but still available for sale, typically in [[outlet store]]s or secondary markets at a lower price.
* In [[military]] terms, an irregular is a soldier who is not part of the official regular army, or does not follow regular army tactics. See [[irregular military]].
* In [[medicine]], anything that does not follow the expected healthy pattern may be called irregular, such as [[Cardiac arrhythmia |irregular heartbeat]] or irregular [[menstrual cycle]].
* In [[mathematics]], something that falls below the definition of the perfect [[archetype]] may be called irregular, such as [[irregular prime]], [[polygon]] or [[polyhedron]]. The [[Enriques-Kodaira classification|irregularity]] is an invariant of algebraic surfaces.
* In [[chess]], an opening that is little used and less studied is called an [[Irregular openings (chess)|irregular chess opening]].
== See also ==
* [[Regular]]
* [[Anomaly]]
* [[Baker Street Irregulars]]
* [[Irregular Webcomic!]]
* [[Maverick (Mega Man)]]
{{disambig}}
[[fr:Irrégulier]]
[[ja:イレギュラー]]