normal

normal [nôr′məl]

adj.

[L normalis < norma, a rule: see NORM]

1. conforming with or constituting an accepted standard, model, or pattern; esp., corresponding to the median or average of a large group in type, appearance, achievement, function, development, etc.; natural; usual; standard; regular

2. Biol. occurring naturally [normal immunity]

3. Chem.

a) designating or of a salt formed by replacing all the replaceable hydrogen of an acid with a metal or metals

b) designating or of a solution which contains an amount of the dissolved substance chemically equivalent to one gram atom of hydrogen per liter of solution

c) designating or of a fatty hydrocarbon, the chain of which is continuous rather than branched, in which no carbon atom is united directly to more than two others

4. Math. perpendicular; at right angles

5. Med. Psychol.

a) free from disease, disorder, or malformation; specif., average in intelligence or development

b) mentally sound

n.

1. anything normal

2. the usual state, amount, degree, etc.; esp., the median or average

3. Math. a perpendicular; esp., a perpendicular to a line tangent to a curve, at its point of tangency

normalcy [nôr′məlsē]

n.

normality [nôr′mal′ə tē]

SYN.- NORMAL implies conformity with the established norm or standard for its kind [normal intelligence ]; REGULAR implies conformity with the prescribed rule or accepted pattern for its kind [the regular working day ]; TYPICAL applies to that which has the representative characteristics of its type or class [a typical Southern town ]; NATURAL implies behavior, operation, etc. that conforms with the nature or innate character of the person or thing [a natural comedian ]; USUAL applies to that which conforms to the common or ordinary use or occurrence [the usual price ]; AVERAGE, in this connection, implies conformity with what is regarded as normal or ordinary [the average man ] -ANT. ABNORMAL, UNUSUAL