eccentric

[ik-sen-trik, ek-] /ɪkˈsɛn trɪk, ɛk-/
adjective
1.
deviating from the recognized or customary character, practice, etc.; irregular; erratic; peculiar; odd:
eccentric conduct; an eccentric person.
2.
Geometry. not having the same center; not concentric: used especially 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.
Machinery. having the axis or support away from the center:
an eccentric wheel.
5.
Astronomy. deviating from a circular form, as an elliptic orbit.
noun
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.
Machinery. 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, especially British, excentric.
Origin
1350-1400; < Medieval Latin eccentricus < Greek ékkentr(os) out of center (see ec-, center) + Latin -icus -ic
Related forms
eccentrical, adjective
eccentrically, adverb
noneccentric, adjective
noneccentrically, adverb
uneccentric, adjective
uneccentrically, adverb
Synonyms
1. strange, weird, bizarre.
Antonyms
1. normal, regular, ordinary, customary, conventional.
Examples from the web for eccentric
  • Perhaps most eccentric of all, a professor in our math department taught his dog the essentials of calculus.
  • It would be easy to dismiss him as a lovable, eccentric old hippie.
  • The eccentric circular rotor has three radial vanes, giving three combustion chambers.
  • Wingate was and remains fascinating, a brilliant and eccentric Brit.
  • The life of an eccentric isn't as satisfying as you might think.
  • They didn't seem particularly neurotic or even eccentric.
  • There is a horse, Tapit, who is trained by an eccentric that feeds his thoroughbreds a pint of beer and three eggs every day.
  • And she's just about the most left-wing eccentric person I know.
  • All are a little eccentric in their own way and all are probably very interesting, high energy people.
  • It memorializes the meeting of two remarkable eccentric minds at a particular moment in intellectual history.
British Dictionary definitions for eccentric

eccentric

/ɪkˈsɛntrɪk/
adjective
1.
deviating or departing from convention, esp in a bizarre manner; irregular or odd
2.
situated away from the centre or the axis
3.
not having a common centre: eccentric circles Compare concentric
4.
not precisely circular
noun
5.
a person who deviates from normal forms of behaviour, esp in a bizarre manner
6.
a device for converting rotary motion to reciprocating motion
Derived Forms
eccentrically, adverb
Word Origin
C16: from Medieval Latin eccentricus, from Greek ekkentros out of centre, from ek-ex-1 + kentron centre
Word Origin and History for eccentric
n.

early 15c., "eccentric circle or orbit," originally a term in Ptolemaic astronomy, "circle or orbit not having the Earth precisely at its center," from Middle French eccentrique and directly from Medieval Latin eccentricus (noun and adjective), from Greek ekkentros "out of the center" (as opposed to concentric), from ek "out" (see ex-) + kentron "center" (see center (n.)). Meaning "odd or whimsical person" attested by 1824.

June 4 [1800].--Died in the streets in Newcastle, William Barron, an eccentric, well known for many years by the name of Billy Pea-pudding. [John Sykes, "Local Records, or Historical Register of Remarkable Events which have Occurred Exclusively in the Counties of Durham and Northumberland, Town and County of Newcastle Upon Tyne, and Berwick Upon Tweed," Newcastle, 1824]

adj.

1550s, from Middle French eccentrique and directly from Medieval Latin eccentricus (noun and adjective; see eccentric (n.)). Figurative sense of "odd, whimsical" first recorded 1620s.

eccentric in Medicine

eccentric ec·cen·tric (ĭk-sěn'trĭk, ěk-)
adj.

  1. Departing from a recognized, conventional, or established norm or pattern.

  2. Situated or proceeding away from the center.

n.
A person of odd or unconventional behavior.
ec'cen·tric'i·ty (ěk'sěn-trĭs'ĭ-tē) n.