eccentricity

ec·cen·tric·i·ty

noun \ˌek-(ˌ)sen-ˈtri-sə-tē\

plural ec·cen·tric·i·ties

Definition of ECCENTRICITY

1

a : the quality or state of being eccentric

b : deviation from an established pattern or norm; especially : odd or whimsical behavior

2

a : a mathematical constant that for a given conic section is the ratio of the distances from any point of the conic section to a focus and the corresponding directrix

b : the eccentricity of an astronomical orbit used as a measure of its deviation from circularity

Examples of ECCENTRICITY

1. Some people weren't very tolerant of his eccentricity.
2. Talking to her plants is one of her many eccentricities.

First Known Use of ECCENTRICITY

1545

Related to ECCENTRICITY

Synonyms

crotchet, curiosity, idiosyncrasy, erraticism, individualism, kink, mannerism, oddity, peculiarity, quiddity, quip, quirk, singularity, tic, trick, twist

Related Words

affectation, airs; attribute, characteristic, mark, property, trait; custom, habit, pattern, practice (also practise), way, wont; addiction; abnormality, neuroticism, perversion, weirdness; disposition, genius, leaning, partiality; bent, inclination, penchant, predilection, predisposition, proclivity, propensity, tendency, turn; attitude, character, humor, identity, individuality, nature, personality, temperament

Near Antonyms

conformity, sameness

Rhymes with ECCENTRICITY

authenticity, catholicity, domesticity, elasticity, electricity, historicity, multiplicity, specificity, synchronicity