Nor"mal (?), a. [L. normalis, fr. norma rule, pattern, carpenter's square; prob. akin to noscere to know; cf. Gr. well known, gnomon, also, carpenter's square: cf. F. normal. See Known, and cf. Abnormal, Enormous.]
According to an established norm, rule, or principle; conformed to a type, standard, or regular form; performing the proper functions; not abnormal; regular; natural; analogical.
Deviations from the normal type.
According to a square or rule; perpendicular; forming a right angle. Specifically: Of or pertaining to a normal.
Standard; original; exact; typical
. Specifically: (a) Quantitative Analysis
Denoting a solution of such strength that every cubic centimeter contains the same number of milligrams of the element in question as the number of its molecular weight
. (b) Chem.
Denoting certain hypothetical compounds, as acids from which the real acids are obtained by dehydration; thus, normal sulphuric acid and normal nitric acid are respectively S(OH)6, and N(OH)5
. (c) Organ. Chem.
Denoting that series of hydrocarbons in which no carbon atom is united with more than two other carbon atoms; as, normal pentane, hexane, etc. Cf. Iso-.
Normal equations Method of Least Squares, a set of equations of the first degree equal in number to the number of unknown quantities, and derived from the observations by a specified process. The solution of the normal equations gives the most probable values of the unknown quantities. -- Normal group Geol., a group of rocks taken as a standard. Lyell. -- Normal place (of a planet or comet) Astron., the apparent place in the heavens of a planet or comet at a specified time, the place having been determined by a considerable number of observations, extending perhaps over many days, and so combined that the accidental errors of observation have largely balanced each other. -- Normal school, a school whose methods of instruction are to serve as a model for imitation; an institution for the training of teachers.
Syn. -- Normal, Regular, Ordinary. Regular and ordinary are popular terms of well-known signification; normal has now a more specific sense, arising out of its use in science. A thing is normal, or in its normal state, when strictly conformed to those principles of its constitution which mark its species or to the standard of a healthy and natural condition. It is abnormal when it departs from those principles.
© Webster 1913.
Nor"mal (?), n. [Cf. F. normale, ligne normale. See Normal, a.]
(Geom.) Any perpendicular.
A straight line or plane drawn from any point of a curve or surface so as to be perpendicular to the curve or surface at that point.
⇒ The term normal is also used to denote the distance along the normal line from the curve to the axis of abscissas or to the center of curvature.
© Webster 1913.