perturbation

disruption, disturbance

noun pehr-toor-bah-SYOHN Rare

Origin: Latin perturbatio, from perturbare (to throw into disorder)

Also means

perturbation (scientific)

Usage Note

Perturbation is used broadly for any disruption — une perturbation du trafic (traffic disruption), des perturbations atmosphériques (atmospheric disturbances, as on a weather forecast). In physics and mathematics the word retains its technical sense of a small deviation from a system's equilibrium. The verb perturber and adjective perturbé are very common: un vol perturbé (a disrupted flight), un enfant perturbé (a troubled child).

Examples

"Des perturbations sont prévues sur les trains."

Natural Translation

Disruptions are expected on the trains.

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