Eccentric
[ɪk'sentrɪk;ek-] or [ɪk'sɛntrɪk]
Definition
(noun.) a person with an unusual or odd personality.
(adj.) not having a common center; not concentric; 'eccentric circles' .
Typed by Belinda--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) Deviating or departing from the center, or from the line of a circle; as, an eccentric or elliptical orbit; pertaining to deviation from the center or from true circular motion.
(a.) Not having the same center; -- said of circles, ellipses, spheres, etc., which, though coinciding, either in whole or in part, as to area or volume, have not the same center; -- opposed to concentric.
(a.) Pertaining to an eccentric; as, the eccentric rod in a steam engine.
(a.) Not coincident as to motive or end.
(a.) Deviating from stated methods, usual practice, or established forms or laws; deviating from an appointed sphere or way; departing from the usual course; irregular; anomalous; odd; as, eccentric conduct.
(n.) A circle not having the same center as another contained in some measure within the first.
(n.) One who, or that which, deviates from regularity; an anomalous or irregular person or thing.
(n.) In the Ptolemaic system, the supposed circular orbit of a planet about the earth, but with the earth not in its center.
(n.) A circle described about the center of an elliptical orbit, with half the major axis for radius.
(n.) A disk or wheel so arranged upon a shaft that the center of the wheel and that of the shaft do not coincide. It is used for operating valves in steam engines, and for other purposes. The motion derived is precisely that of a crank having the same throw.
Typed by Brian
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. [1]. Not circular.[2]. Irregular, abnormal, anomalous, peculiar, uncommon, unnatural, singular, strange, wayward, odd, aberrant, erratic, whimsical.
Typed by Jaime
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Peculiar, singular, idiosyncratic, flighty, aberrant, anomalous, wayward,strange, irregular, abnormal, odd, whimsical, erratic
ANT:Regular, ordinary, customary, normal, common, usual, unnoticeable,unremarkable
Edited by Guthrie
Definition
adj. departing from the centre: not having the same centre as another said of circles: out of the usual course: not conforming to common rules: odd.—n. Eccen′tric a circle not having the same centre as another: (mech.) a contrivance for taking an alternating rectilinear motion from a revolving shaft: an eccentric fellow.—adv. Eccen′trically.—n. Eccentric′ity the distance of the centre of a planet's orbit from the centre of the sun: singularity of conduct: oddness.
Typed by Eddie
Examples
- It was a little carriage of eccentric movement, for again he heard it stop behind him and turn round, and again he saw it pass him. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- It cannot answer to be eccentric; you should think what will be generally liked, said Rosamond, in a decided little tone of admonition. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- Indeed, from the direction of the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
- Mr. Browlow was no less surprised, although his astonishment was not expressed in the same eccentric manner. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- Hollo,' said that eccentric functionary, 'furniter's cheap where you come from, Sir. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- I am afraid your principles on some points are eccentric. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- A rock shaft _s_ is worked by an eccentric rod _e_ from the paddle wheel shaft. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- These offerings of affection were of a most various and eccentric description. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- Bell called his boat the Comet, in commemoration of the remarkable eccentric luminary which was at that time frightening Europe from its propriety. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- He has had the reputation of being a man of eccentric habits, secretive and retiring. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- Hence these fair neighbors thought her either proud or eccentric, and sometimes spoke of her to their husbands as your fine Mrs. Garth. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- Put the case that, at the same time he held a trust to find a child for an eccentric rich lady to adopt and bring up. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- You felt disposed to set down the wearer as somewhat eccentric at once. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- It is literally eccentric: it has been centered mechanically instead of vitally. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- I imagine he did not think I was a beggar, but only an eccentric sort of lady, who had taken a fancy to his brown loaf. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
Typist: Ted