atípico

Atípico is an adjective in Spanish that describes something that is not typical, deviating from the usual or expected pattern. It can apply to people, objects, phenomena, or behaviors and often implies a departure from a standard model or norm.

Etymology: The word derives from the prefix a- (negation) combined with típico, itself from Latin typicus and Greek typikos, meaning related to a type or model. The form atípico has been used in Spanish to indicate nonconformity with established patterns.

Usage and context: In everyday language, atípico conveys rarity or nonconformity. In specialized fields, the term takes on more precise meanings. In medicine, it indicates findings that do not fit the typical presentation of a disease, such as a lesion atípica or células atípicas, often prompting further diagnostic tests. In biology or ecology, it describes organisms or traits that differ from the norm within a species or group. In statistics and social sciences, atípico may refer to outliers or values that lie far from the central tendency, signaling unusual observations.

Relation to other terms: Common synonyms include poco común, inusual, irregular, or no convencional; antonyms are típico and convencional. The noun form atipicidad is used to denote the quality of being atypical in a given context.

Examples: un caso atípico de la enfermedad; una célula atípica en una muestra; un comportamiento atípico ante una situación; un patrón de datos atípico.

See also: típico, atipia, anomalía, outlier.