odchýlit

Odchýliť is a Slovak verb meaning to deviate or diverge, to move away from a planned course, standard, or norm; it can also mean to cause something to depart from its intended trajectory. It is used in everyday language as well as in technical contexts such as science, engineering, navigation, and statistics.

The imperfective form is odchýľovať (odchýľovať sa) and the perfective is odchýliť. The related noun odchýlka denotes deviation or an anomaly, and odchýlky are used to describe how far a value lies from a reference. In engineering and manufacturing, tolerances specify allowable odchýlky; in navigation or sports, one speaks of deviating from a route or plan.

Etymology: the word is formed from the prefix od- meaning away, apart, with the root chýliť meaning to tilt or bend. The combination conveys moving away from a reference line or standard, a pattern common in Slavic languages.

In practice, odchýliť is used to describe both intentional redirection and unintended departures. Examples include the trajectory of a projectile deviating from its planned path, measurements showing deviation from the mean, or procedures adjusted to reduce deviations and meet tolerances.

See also: odchýlka, deviácia, tolerancia, trajektória.