eccentric

CEFRC1

/ɪkˈsɛntɹɪk/

adjective · noun

Türkçe translations

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In plain English

01
adjective
Unusual or slightly strange in behavior or appearance.
02
noun
A person with unusual behavior or ideas.

Examples

Many scientists have the reputation of being eccentric.
Prof. Smith is famous for his eccentric life style.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses: 5
Parts of speech: 2
Citations: 5
Synonyms: 5

Deep Dive

adjective

Extra meanings

Having a different center; not concentric.
Not perfectly circular; elliptical.
Not at or in the centre; away from the centre.

More examples

In context

As of 2008, Margaret had the most eccentric orbit of any moon in the solar system, though Nereid's mean eccentricity is greater.
1801, Author not named, Fyfield (John), entry in Eccentric Biography; Or, Sketches of Remarkable Characters, Ancient and Modern, page 127, He was a man of a most eccentric turn of mind, and great singularity of conduct.
a. 1626, Francis Bacon, 1867, Richard Whately (analysis and notes), James R. Boyd (editor), Essay XI: Wisdom for a Man's Self, Lord Bacon's Essays, page 171, […] for whatsoever affairs pass such a man's hands he crooketh them to his own ends, which must needs...

Quick test

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Question 1 · Quick check

The blank inventor lived alone and collected antique typewriters in his basement.

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Citations

The word in print, with each source given in full.

Strikingly, we see that party births tend systematically to be at policy positions that are significantly more eccentric than those of surviving parties, whatever decision rule these parties use.
2011, Michael Laver, Ernest Sergenti., Party Competition: An Agent-Based Model, page 125
Oospores may be centric, subcentric, subeccentric or eccentric. Antheridial branches may or may not be present, and are androgynous, monoclinous, diclinous or hypogynous.
2014, Nicky B. Buller, Bacteria and Fungi From Fish and Other Aquatic Animals: A Practical Identification Manual, 2nd edition, Boston, M.A.: CABI, →ISBN, page 687
A tiny, feisty woman who always spoke her mind, Charlotte was an eccentric in the wonderful way that some women from the last century were natural eccentrics.
1989, Jeffrey Robinson, Rainier and Grace, page 26
Eccentrics live longer, happier, and healthier lives than conformist normal citizens, according to the neuropsychologist David Weeks.
1998, Michael Gross, Life On The Edge, published 2001, page ix
The position of the eccentrics which is necessary to make the pistons drive the engine forward must be directly the reverse of that which would cause them to drive the engine backwards. To be able, therefore, to reverse the motion of the engine, it would only be necessary to be able to reverse the position of the eccentrics, which may be accomplished by either of two expedients.
1840, Dionysius Lardner, The Steam Engine Explained and Illustrated, page 379

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Origin

adjective

From Middle French excentrique, from Medieval Latin eccentricus, from Ancient Greek ἔκκεντρος (ékkentros, “not having the earth as the center of an orbit”), from ἐκ (ek, “out”) + κέντρον (kéntron, “point”). Equivalent to ex- + -centric.

Deep Dive

adjective

More examples

Related

Quick test

The blank— inventor lived alone and collected antique typewriters in his basement.

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Origin

adjective

The blank inventor lived alone and collected antique typewriters in his basement.