irregularity

From Middle French irrégularité, from Medieval Latin irregularitas. Morphologically irregular +‎ -ity.

• (Received Pronunciation, without the Mary–marry–merry merger) IPA^(key): /ɪˌɹɛ.ɡjʊˈlæ.ɹɪ.ti/
• (General American, Mary–marry–merry merger) IPA^(key): /ɪˌɹɛ.ɡjəˈlɛɹ.ɪ.ti/

• Audio (US):

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irregularity (countable and uncountable, plural irregularities)

1. (countable) An instance of being irregular.
   • 1959 August, “Track-Recording Coach for B.R.”, in Railway Magazine, page 523:

     A new track-recording vehicle has been developed for British Railways as part of the modernisation programme. It can locate and record the smallest irregularities in the track, and will be an aid to railway engineers in making better use of manpower and materials for track maintenance.

2. (uncountable) The state or condition of being irregular, or the extent to which something is irregular.
3. (countable) An object or event that is not regular or ordinary.

   an irregularity of surface

4. (countable) A violation of rules.

   An investigation of the irregularities in the company's accounts uncovered a large-scale fraud.

5. (euphemistic) Irregular bowel movement (e.g. diarrhea or constipation).
   • 2000, James Dallas Jardine, Indu Vaid, Alternative Therapies, Health Harmony, →ISBN, page 246:

     Consuming copious amounts of vegetables, fruit, milk, and an abundance of water effectively treats irregularity. Establishing regular eating, bowel movement, and exercise habits are helpful too.

• (state of being irregular): See also Thesaurus:nonuniformity

• regularity

• irregular