eccentric
UK: ɪkˈsɛntrɪk | US: ɪkˈsɛntrɪk
adj. unconventional or slightly strange in behavior or appearance
adj. (technical) not placed or moving in a perfectly circular or central path
n. a person with unconventional or odd behavior
eccentric = ec<out of> + centr<center> + ic<adjective suffix>
- ec (from Greek ek, meaning "out of")
- centr (from Latin centrum, meaning "center")
- ic (adjective-forming suffix, indicating "relating to")
Etymology Origin:
The word eccentric originates from the Greek ekkentros (ek "out of" + kentron "center"), which described planetary orbits deviating from perfect circles. In Late Latin, eccentricus retained this astronomical sense. By the 17th century, English adopted it metaphorically for behavior "deviating from societal norms," mirroring the literal "off-center" motion of celestial bodies. The logic is vivid: just as planets stray from circular paths, eccentric individuals stray from conventional behavior.
Her eccentric wardrobe made her stand out in the crowd.
The comet follows an eccentric orbit around the sun.
The old inventor was known as the village eccentric.
His eccentric ideas often surprised his colleagues.
The artist’s eccentric style challenged traditional norms.