eccentric

eccentric
eccentrical, adj.eccentrically, adv.
/ik sen"trik, ek-/, adj.
1. deviating from the recognized or customary character, practice, etc.; irregular; erratic; peculiar; odd: eccentric conduct; an eccentric person.
2. Geom. not having the same center; not concentric: used esp. of two circles or spheres at least one of which contains the centers of both.
3. (of an axis, axle, etc.) not situated in the center.
4. Mach. having the axis or support away from the center: an eccentric wheel.
5. Astron. deviating from a circular form, as an elliptic orbit.
n.
6. a person who has an unusual, peculiar, or odd personality, set of beliefs, or behavior pattern.
7. something that is unusual, peculiar, or odd.
8. Mach. a device for converting circular motion into rectilinear motion, consisting of a disk fixed somewhat off-center to a revolving shaft, and working freely in a surrounding collar (eccentric strap), to which a rod (eccentric rod) is attached.
Also, esp. Brit., excentric.
[1350-1400; < ML eccentricus < Gk ékkentr(os) out of center (see EC-, CENTER) + L -icus -IC]
Syn. 1. strange, weird, bizarre.
Ant. 1. normal, regular, ordinary, customary, conventional.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Eccentric — Ec*cen tric ([e^]k*s[e^]n tr[i^]k), a. [F. excentrique, formerly also spelled eccentrique, fr. LL. eccentros out of the center, eccentric, Gr. e kkentros; ek out of + ke ntron center. See {Ex }, and {Center}, and cf. {Excentral}.] 1. Deviating or …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Eccentric — Ec*cen tric ([e^]k*s[e^]n tr[i^]k), n. 1. A circle not having the same center as another contained in some measure within the first. [1913 Webster] 2. One who, or that which, deviates from regularity; an anomalous or irregular person or thing.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • eccentric — [ek sen′trik, iksen′trik] adj. [ME eccentrik < ML eccentricus < LL eccentros, out of the center, eccentric < Gr ekkentros < ek , out of (see EX 1) + kentron, CENTER] 1. not having the same center, as two circles one inside the other:… …   English World dictionary

  • eccentric — early 15c. (n.) eccentric circle or orbit, 1550s (adj.), originally a term in Ptolemaic astronomy, circle or orbit not having the Earth precisely at its center, from M.Fr. eccentrique and directly from M.L. eccentricus (n. and adj.), from Gk.… …   Etymology dictionary

  • eccentric — [adj] bizarre, unusual aberrant, abnormal, anomalous, beat*, bent*, bizarre, capricious, characteristic, cockeyed, crazy, curious, droll, erratic, far out*, flaky, freak, freakish, funky*, funny, idiosyncratic, irregular, kooky, nutty, odd,… …   New thesaurus

  • eccentric — ► ADJECTIVE 1) unconventional and slightly strange. 2) technical not placed centrally or not having its axis placed centrally. 3) technical (of an orbit) not circular, especially to a marked degree. ► NOUN 1) an eccentric person. 2) a cam or… …   English terms dictionary

  • eccentric — I adjective aberrant, anomalous, bizarre, contrary, curious, departing from the usual course, deviant, deviating, deviative, different, differing, divergent, erratic, extraordinary, idiosyncratic, independent, individual, inusitatus, irregular,… …   Law dictionary

  • eccentric — erratic, odd, queer, peculiar, *strange, singular, unique, quaint, outlandish, curious Analogous words: *abnormal, atypical, aberrant: *irregular, anomalous, unnatural: *exceptional, exceptionable: *fantastic, bizarre, grotesque Contrasted …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • eccentric — 01. My neighbor is an [eccentric] old lady who has over 20 cats. 02. They are an [eccentric] couple who dress in funny old clothes, and are always laughing about something. 03. His [eccentric] views have gotten him in trouble a number of times.… …   Grammatical examples in English

  • eccentric — I UK [ɪkˈsentrɪk] / US adjective a) someone who is eccentric often behaves in slightly strange or unusual ways She s regarded as being rather eccentric. an eccentric, difficult genius b) used about actions, decisions, or things that people make… …   English dictionary

  • eccentric — ec|cen|tric1 [ ık sentrık ] adjective someone who is eccentric often behaves in slightly strange or unusual ways: an eccentric, difficult genius She s regarded as being rather eccentric. a. used about actions, decisions, or things that people… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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