Leptokurtic

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

  1. Describing a probability distribution with a sharper peak and heavier tails than a normal distribution, indicating a higher likelihood of extreme values; relating to statistical kurtosis exceeding that of a Gaussian curve; characterizing datasets with concentrated central values and more pronounced outliers
  2. Referring to statistical distributions exhibiting prominent central peaks combined with fat tails, which signals more frequent extreme deviations compared to a bell-shaped curve; concerned with a kurtosis measure that surpasses the normal benchmark; indicating a pattern of greater peakness and tail thickness in data spread
  3. Pertaining to the shape of probability distributions that show a marked peak higher than that of the normal curve alongside heavier tails, signaling greater risk of outlying observations; involving kurtosis values greater than the standard; describing data distributions tightly clustered around the mean with increased probabilities at the extremes

Etymology: "Leptokurtic" is a technical coinage built from three Greek-derived parts: "lepto-", from Greek "leptos" meaning "thin" or "slender"; "kurtosis", a statistical term; and the adjective ending "-ic". The middle element is the newest of the three. "Kurtosis" was coined in modern statistics from Greek "kyrtos", meaning "curved" or "bulging", so the word as a whole describes a distribution with a "thin-bulged" shape. The name captures the picture a statistician has in mind. Compared with a normal bell curve, a leptokurtic distribution is taller and narrower at the centre, with fatter tails that stretch further out. The "thin" in "lepto-" refers to that slender, pointed peak. Because the word is a deliberate scientific formation, it describes a measured property rather than an appearance, and it is used alongside its opposite, "platykurtic", built from Greek "platys", meaning "flat" or "broad".

Synonyms: peaked, sharp-peaked, high kurtosis

Antonyms: platykurtic, flat-topped, low kurtosis, broad-peaked