Reading Theme:
Error Definition, Examples, and Usage (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：mistake (error)
error
/ˈɛr.ər/
n.
a mistake in something you do, say, or calculate.
mistake
➕
/mɪˈsteɪk/
n.
An error is a mistake made in what you do, say, or think, causing an incorrect result.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'errare' meaning 'to wander, go astray', later 'make a mistake'.
💡 Mnemonic
If you err, you commit an error. Remember: 'err' + 'or' = a noun for a mistake.
📖 Example
He realized there was an error in his report after he had already sent it to his boss.
He realized there was an error in his report after he had already sent it to his boss.
🔗 Collocations
human error – a mistake made by a person rather than a machine
common error – a mistake that many people make
error of judgment – a wrong decision based on poor reasoning
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
correctness (n.) – the quality of being free from error
accuracy (n.) – the quality of being correct
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
Etymology: Latin 'errare' ('to wander'). Medieval scribes often wrote 'error' in margins. In modern science, 'error' is a technical term for statistical deviation.
Meaning 2：measurement deviation (error)
error
/ˈɛr.ər/
n.
a small difference between a measured value and the true or correct value.
measurement deviation
➕
/ˈmeʒərmənt ˌdiːviˈeɪʃən/
n.
In scientific contexts, error refers to the difference between a measured quantity and its true value, often expressed as margin of error.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The scientists calculated the margin of error for their experiment to ensure the results were reliable.
The scientists calculated the margin of error for their experiment to ensure the results were reliable.
🔗 Collocations
margin of error – the amount by which a measured value may differ from the true value
standard error – a measure of the statistical accuracy of an estimate
error bar – a graphical representation of the variability of data
🔄 Synonyms
deviation (n.) – the amount by which a measurement differs from a standard
inaccuracy (n.) – the quality of not being correct or precise
discrepancy (n.) – a difference between two things that should be the same
🚫 Antonyms
accuracy (n.) – the quality of being correct and free from error
precision (n.) – the exactness of a measurement
correctness (n.) – the state of being without error
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