error

error [er′ər]

n.

[ME & OFr errour < L error < errare: see ERR]

1. the state of believing what is untrue, incorrect, or wrong

2. a wrong belief; incorrect opinion

3. something incorrectly done through ignorance or carelessness; mistake

4. a departure from the accepted moral code; transgression; wrongdoing; sin

5.

a) the difference between a computed or estimated result and the actual value, as in mathematics

b) the amount by which something deviates from what is required

☆ 6. Baseball a misplay in fielding or throwing a ball which allows a runner to reach base or to advance to the next base: neither a WILD PITCH nor a PASSED BALL is an error

7. Law a mistake in judgment or procedure of a court of record, usually prejudicial to one of the parties

8. Philately a flaw in a stamp or stamps from a defect in a printing plate, a difference in color, etc.

errorless

adj.

SYN.- ERROR implies deviation from truth, accuracy, correctness, right, etc. and is the broadest term in this comparison [an error in judgment, in computation, etc. ]; MISTAKE suggests an error resulting from carelessness, inattention, misunderstanding, etc. and does not in itself carry a strong implication of criticism [a mistake in reading a blueprint ]; BLUNDER implies stupidity, clumsiness, inefficiency, etc. and carries a suggestion of more severe criticism [a tactical blunder cost them the war ]; a SLIP¹ is a mistake, usually slight, made inadvertently in speaking or writing; a FAUX PAS is a social blunder or error in etiquette that causes embarrassment; BONER¹ and BOO-BOO, slang terms, are applied to a silly or ridiculous blunder