Irregular 1496076 175618564 2007-12-04T01:23:31Z Billscottbob 1619117 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]]