Homonym: Deviation (Variation)
Deviation refers to the difference between an expected outcome and the actual result. In statistics, it often measures how much individual data points differ from the average or mean value. A high deviation indicates that data points are spread out over a wide range, while a low deviation suggests they are clustered closely around the mean.
In various fields, such as psychology and engineering, deviation can signify a departure from standard practices or norms. For example, in quality control, a product that deviates from specifications may indicate a defect, prompting further investigation to ensure consistency and reliability.