Definition of: distortion

(dis·tôr′shən) noun
1. The act of distorting.
2. A deformity; perversion.
3. Optics An imperfect image due to a defective lens or retina.
4. Telecom. A change in the wave form of a signal caused by non-uniform transmission at different frequencies.
5. Psychoanal. The process whereby certain objectionable elements of the mental life are altered so as to make them acceptable to the conscious ego. Compare CENSORSHIP (def. 2).
—dis·tor′tion·al adjective