ABERRATION

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The company’s sudden decline in sales last quarter was an aberration in their otherwise consistent growth pattern.

(noun) A departure or deviation from what is normal, usual, or expected; specifically, an instance of wandering from the usual or natural state. As a noun, it refers to any action, behavior, or occurrence that differs markedly from the typical or standard form. In scientific contexts, it describes a defect in the optical system that causes images to appear distorted.