deformation
/ˌdiːfɔːˈmeɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌdiːfɔːrˈmeɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌdē-ˌfȯr-ˈmā-shən ˌde-fər-/ (ame, mw)
deformation — noun
1. the process by which an object's original shape or form becomes altered, especia
the process by which an object's original shape or form becomes altered, especially by pressure, heat, or damage, so that it no longer looks normal
The metal frame showed clear signs of deformation after the fire weakened its structure.
collocation: show signs of deformation
Doctors noticed a slight deformation in the bone where the old fracture had healed poorly.
collocation: deformation in [body part]
The earthquake caused visible deformation of the road surface, leaving it cracked and uneven.
Gabriela examined the plastic pipe and found deformation where it had bent under extreme heat.
The old sculpture suffered deformation at the joints where the metal arms had bent downward.
- distortion
broader term; can refer to sound, image, or shape; slightly more common in everyday English
- warping
more specific to materials like wood or metal caused by heat or moisture
- bending
less severe; implies a curve rather than permanent damage
- twisting
focuses on rotational or torque-induced shape change
- formation
the process of giving something its original shape
- restoration
the act of bringing something back to its original shape
文法句型
deformation + of + noun phrase
deformation + in + noun phrase
undergo/suffer/show + deformation
用法筆記
Common in technical contexts — engineering, medicine, and geology — when describing how materials or body parts lose their proper shape under stress or damage. The countable form (deformations) is used when referring to multiple instances or types of shape change.
常見錯誤
2. a harmful change that makes a system, set of values, or relationship worse than
a harmful change that makes a system, set of values, or relationship worse than it was before
Critics argued that the new policy would lead to a deformation of democratic principles.
collocation: deformation of [abstract concept]
The company's culture underwent a gradual deformation as short-term profits became the only goal.
Some scholars view these changes as a deformation of the original meaning of the constitution.
Emre claimed that the documentary caused a deformation of how people understand real historical events.
The historian described the regime's rewriting of history as a deliberate deformation of the truth.
- corruption
stronger moral judgment; implies deliberate dishonesty or decay
- distortion
can be used for both physical and abstract; less severe than 'deformation'
- perversion
very strong; suggests twisting something into something unnatural or immoral
- improvement
a change that makes something better
- purification
removing harmful elements to restore original quality
文法句型
deformation + of + abstract noun phrase
用法筆記
Used in formal or critical writing about moral, political, or social change. Carries a strong negative judgment — the speaker considers the change harmful. Distinguish from sense 1 (SHAPE CHANGE): sense 2 applies to abstract systems, not physical objects.