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eccentricity

[ ek-suhn-tris-i-tee, ek-sen- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

plural eccentricities.

an oddity or peculiarity, as of conduct:
an interesting man, known for his eccentricities.
the quality of being eccentric.
Synonyms: , , , ,
the amount by which something is eccentric.
Machinery. the distance between the centers of two cylindrical objects one of which surrounds the other, as between an eccentric and the shaft on which it is mounted.
Mathematics. a constant expressed as the ratio of the distance from a point on a conic to a focus and the distance from the point to the directrix.

eccentricity

/ ˌɛ��ɛ��ˈ�ٰ�ɪ��ɪ��ɪ /

noun

unconventional or irregular behaviour
deviation from a circular path or orbit
a measure of the noncircularity of an elliptical orbit, the distance between the foci divided by the length of the major axis
geometry a number that expresses the shape of a conic section: the ratio of the distance of a point on the curve from a fixed point (the focus) to the distance of the point from a fixed line (the directrix)
the degree of displacement of the geometric centre of a rotating part from the true centre, esp of the axis of rotation of a wheel or shaft

eccentricity

A measure of the deviation of an elliptical path, especially an orbit, from a perfect circle. It is equal to the ratio of the distance between the foci of the ellipse to the length of the major axis of the ellipse (the distance between the two points farthest apart on the ellipse). Eccentricity ranges from zero (for a perfect circle) to values approaching 1 (highly elongated ellipses).
The ratio of the distance of any point on a conic section from a focus to its distance from the corresponding directrix. This ratio is constant for any particular conic section.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of eccentricity¹

First recorded in 1545–55; from Medieval Latin �𳦳��Գٰ��, equivalent to eccentric- ( eccentric ) + -�� -ity

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Synonym Study

Eccentricity, peculiarity, quirk, idiosyncrasy all refer to some noticeable deviation in behavior, style, or manner from what is normal or expected. Eccentricity usually suggests a mildly amusing but harmless characteristic or style: a whimsical eccentricity in choice of clothing. Peculiarity is the most general of these words, referring to almost any perceptible oddity or departure from any norm: the peculiarity of his eyelashes, of the weather. Quirk often refers to a minor, unimportant kind of oddity: Her one quirk was a habit of speaking to strangers in elevators. Sometimes quirk has overtones of strangeness: sexual quirks. Idiosyncrasy refers to a variation in behavior or manner exclusive to or characteristic of a single individual: idiosyncrasies of style that irritated editors but often delighted readers.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

As a child, his rigid military father refused to accommodate his son’s eccentricities, beating it into the boy that he must fight for his place in the world — literally.

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The Washington Post described it as “a zigzaggging ride through Kilmer’s distinctive life and career, penned by a spiritual storyteller with no qualms about indulging in his eccentricities.”

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That “Holland” doesn’t lean harder into Nancy’s eccentricities is its biggest flaw.

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But look a bit closer, reading between the gobs of fleshy, rust-colored tail juice, and you’ll find that Ylfa’s exhilaration communicates much more than one person’s epicurean eccentricities.

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This group dinner, which occurs early in the film, is the perfect opportunity for Koepp to highlight each character’s eccentricities and for Soderbergh to capture how his actors play them in front of the camera.

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Related Words

eccentric ecce signum

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