dictionary definitions for "irregular"


From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:

  irregular
      adj 1: contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice;
             "irregular hiring practices" [ant: regular]
      2: (of solids) not having clear dimensions that can be
         measured; volume must be determined with the principle of
         liquid displacement [ant: regular]
      3: not occurring at expected times [syn: unpredictable]
      4: used of the military; not belonging to or engaged in by
         regular army forces; "irregular troops"; "irregular
         warfare" [ant: regular]
      5: deviating from what is usual or common or to be expected;
         often somewhat odd or strange; "these days large families
         are atypical"; "highly irregular behavior" [syn:
         atypical]
      6: lacking continuity or regularity; "an irregular worker";
         "employed on a temporary basis" [syn: temporary]
      7: of a surface; not level or flat; "walking was difficult on
         the irregular cobblestoned surface"
      8: used of independent armed resistance forces; "guerrilla
         warfare"; "partisan forces" [syn: {guerrilla(a)},
         {guerilla(a)}, underground]
      9: independent in behavior or thought; "she led a somewhat
         irregular private life"; "maverick politicians" [syn:
         maverick, unorthodox]
      n 1: a member of an irregular armed force that fights a stronger
           force by sabotage and harassment [syn: guerrilla,
           guerilla, insurgent]
      2: merchandise that has imperfections; usually sold at a
         reduced price without the brand name [syn: second]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Irregular \Ir*reg"u*lar\, a. [Pref. ir- not + regular: cf. F.
     irr['e]gulier.]
     Not regular; not conforming to a law, method, or usage
     recognized as the general rule; not according to common form;
     not conformable to nature, to the rules of moral rectitude,
     or to established principles; not normal; unnatural;
     immethodical; unsymmetrical; erratic; no straight; not
     uniform; as, an irregular line; an irregular figure; an
     irregular verse; an irregular physician; an irregular
     proceeding; irregular motion; irregular conduct, etc. Cf.
     Regular.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           Mazes intricate,
           Eccentric, intervolved, yet regular
           Then most when most irregular they seem. --Milton.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           Leading the men of Herefordshire to fight
           Against the irregular and wild Glendower. --Shak.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           A flowery meadow through which a clear stream murmured
           in many irregular meanders.              --Jones.
  
     Syn: Immethodical; unsystematic; abnormal; unnatural;
          anomalous; erratic; devious; crooked; eccentric;
          unsettled; uneven; variable; changeable; mutable;
          desultory; disorderly; wild; immoderate; intemperate;
          inordinate; vicious.
          [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Irregular \Ir*reg"u*lar\, n.
     One who is not regular; especially, a soldier not in regular
     service.
     [1913 Webster]


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