ECCENTRIC


Meaning of ECCENTRIC in English

I. ik-ˈsen-trik, ek- adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin eccentricus, from Greek ekkentros, from ex out of + kentron center

Date: circa 1630

1.

a. : deviating from an established or usual pattern or style

eccentric products

b. : deviating from conventional or accepted usage or conduct especially in odd or whimsical ways

an eccentric millionaire

2.

a. : deviating from a circular path ; especially : elliptical 1

an eccentric orbit

b. : located elsewhere than at the geometrical center ; also : having the axis or support so located

an eccentric wheel

Synonyms: see strange

• ec·cen·tri·cal·ly -tri-k(ə-)lē adverb

II. noun

Date: 1827

1. : a mechanical device consisting of an eccentric disk communicating its motion to a rod so as to produce reciprocating motion

2. : an eccentric person

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.