Pronunciation: [dˈiːvi͡ənts] (IPA) 
The word "deviants" is spelled with the letter "e", which represents the short "e" sound /ɛ/. The letter "v" is pronounced as /v/ and "i" represents the short "i" sound /ɪ/. The second "a" is pronounced as /eɪ/, the letter "n" as /n/, and the final letter "t" as /t/. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈdiː.vi.ənts/. "Deviants" refers to individuals who deviate from accepted social norms, values, or behaviors.
Deviants is a plural noun referring to individuals or groups that depart from or deviate from accepted norms, standards, or behaviors within a particular social, cultural, or moral context. These individuals or groups often engage in actions, behaviors, or ideologies that are considered unconventional, unconventional, controversial, or even illegal by society's prevailing standards or values.
The term "deviants" can be used to encompass a wide range of individuals or groups, including criminals, social outcasts, rebels, nonconformists, or those who challenge and reject societal norms or expectations. Deviants often espouse alternative lifestyles, choices, or belief systems that are considered deviant, subversive, or taboo in the eyes of the majority.
The classification of deviants is subjective and varies across different societies, cultures, and historical periods. What is deemed deviant in one culture might be perfectly acceptable in another. Similarly, acts or behaviors that were considered deviant in the past may be more accepted or even celebrated in contemporary times.
The term "deviants" is often used in social sciences, especially in the fields of sociology, criminology, and psychology, to study and understand the causes, impacts, and consequences of deviant behaviors. Researchers and experts often analyze deviant behaviors to gain insights into social control, cultural norms, power dynamics, and the mechanisms that maintain or challenge social order.
The word "deviant" originates from the Latin term "devians", which is the present participle of the verb "deviare". "Deviare" is composed of two elements: "de", meaning "off" or "from", and "viare", meaning "to go". The word "devians" was first used in English around the 15th century to describe someone who strayed or moved away from the usual or accepted course of behavior or belief. Over time, "deviant" has come to refer to individuals whose actions, thoughts, or lifestyles deviate from what is considered conventional or socially acceptable.
