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.]
1. 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.
Hallam.
2. (Geom.) According to a square or rule; perpendicular; forming a
right angle. Specifically: Of or pertaining to a normal.
3. (Chem.) 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.
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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.
Nor"mal (?), n. [Cf. F. normale, ligne normale. See Normal, a.] 1.
(Geom.) Any perpendicular.
2. (Geom.) 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.
Nor"mal*cy (?), n. The quality, state, or fact of being normal; as, the
point of normalcy. [R.]
Nor`mal*i*za"tion (?), n. Reduction to a standard or normal state.
Nor"mal*ly, adv. In a normal manner. Darwin.
Nor"man (?), n. [F. normand.] (Naut.) A wooden bar, or iron pin. W. C.
Russell.
Nor"man, a. [F. normand, of Scand. origin. See Northman, and cf.
Norse.] Of or pertaining to Normandy or to the Normans; as, the Norman
language; the Norman conquest.
Norman style (Arch.), a style of architecture which arose in the tenth
century, characterized by great massiveness, simplicity, and strength,
with the use of the semicircular arch, heavy round columns, and a great
variety of ornaments, among which the zigzag and spiral or cable-formed
ornaments were prominent.
Nor"man, n. A native or inhabitant of Normandy; originally, one of the
Northmen or Scandinavians who conquered Normandy in the 10th century;
afterwards, one of the mixed (Norman-French) race which conquered
England, under William the Conqueror.
Nor"man*ism (?), n. A Norman idiom; a custom or expression peculiar to
the Normans. M. Arnold.
{ Norn (?), Nor"na (?) }, n. [Icel. norn, pl. nornir.]
1. (Scandinavian Myth.) One of the three Fates, Past, Present, and
Future. Their names were Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld.