Eccentric
/ɪkˈsɛn.trɪk/noun
Unconventional or odd in behavior, appearance, or thinking.
Did you know?The word comes from astronomy: medieval thinkers used it for heavenly bodies whose paths were not centered on Earth, before it was applied to unusual people.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Gk
ekkentros
“off-center; having a center outside the usual place”
Late Latin
LL
eccentricus
“off-center, not having the same center”
Middle French
OF
eccentrique
“deviating from the center; irregular”
16th Century
English
eccentrike
“off-center in geometry or astronomy”
17th Century
English
eccentric
“a celestial orbit not centered on Earth; irregular”
Modern English
English
eccentric
“unconventional or odd in behavior or style”
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