n.
Pronunciation: k ə - ' pr ē s
Function: noun
Etymology: French, from Italian capriccio caprice, shudder, perhaps from capo head (fr. Latin caput ) + riccio hedgehog, from Latin ericius ― more at HEAD , URCHIN
Date: 1667
1 a : a sudden, impulsive, and seemingly unmotivated notion or action b : a sudden usually unpredictable condition, change, or series of changes <the caprice s of the weather>
2 : a disposition to do things impulsively
3 : CAPRICCIO 3
synonyms CAPRICE , WHIM , VAGARY , CROTCHET mean an irrational or unpredictable idea or desire. CAPRICE stresses lack of apparent motivation and suggests willfulness <by sheer caprice she quit her job>. WHIM implies a fantastic, capricious turn of mind or inclination <an odd antique that was bought on a whim >. VAGARY stresses the erratic, irresponsible character of the notion or desire <recently he had been prone to strange vagaries >. CROTCHET implies an eccentric opinion or preference <a serious scientist equally known for his bizarre crotchets >.