atípic

Atípic is a Catalan adjective used to describe something that does not conform to the usual type or pattern. It is cognate with the Spanish atípico and the English atypical, sharing the same general meaning of deviation from what is considered standard or typical.

Etymology and spelling notes: the term derives from a prefix indicating negation (a- or a-) combined with a root related to type or form (typ-). In Catalan, the standard form is atípic, while in Spanish the corresponding form is atípico and in other languages the common equivalent is atypical.

Usage and scope: atípic is employed across fields to label exceptions, anomalies, or nonstandard appearances. It describes phenomena that do not fit established norms, criteria, or expectations. The term is frequently found in medical, scientific, linguistic, and cultural contexts, among others.

Examples: a case of pneumonia atípica refers to a presentation that does not follow the classic pattern; un desenvolupament atípic can describe nonstandard developmental trajectories; observacions atípiques in data analysis point to outliers or unusual results.

See also: atypical, anomaly, outlier, nonstandard, deviation.

Note: In Spanish contexts the term most commonly used is atípico; in Catalan contexts, atípic is the standard form. The English equivalent is atypical.