The spelling of the word "abnormal behaviour" is straightforward when broken down phonetically. The first syllable, "ab", is pronounced /æb/, while the second syllable, "nor", is pronounced /nɔːr/. The final syllable, "mal", is pronounced /mæl/. When combined, the word is pronounced /æbˈnɔːr.məl bɪˈheɪvjər/. "Abnormal" means not typical or usual, while "behaviour" refers to the way in which a person acts or conducts themselves. Together, they describe actions that deviate from the norm.
The word "abnormal" originated from the Latin word "abnormis", which is a combination of "ab-" (meaning "away from" or "not") and "norma" (meaning "rule" or "standard"). The term "abnormal" in English was first documented in the early 19th century, referring to something that deviates from the usual or expected norm.
The word "behaviour" originated from the Middle English word "behaviour" or "behaviouren", which came from the Old French word "behaviour" meaning "conduct" or "behavior". The Old French term ultimately stemmed from the Late Latin word "behavior" or "behavio" meaning "conduct" or "deportment". The word "behavior" was assimilated into English during the late 15th century.