English Explanatory Dictionary

idiosyncrasy

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A behavior or way of thinking that is characteristic of a person or a group.
  2. A peculiar individual reaction to a generally innocuous substance or factor; a risk factor.
  3. A peculiarity that serves to distinguish or identify.

Pronunciation

/ˌɪdɪəʊˈsɪŋkɹəsi/ /ˌɪdɪəˈsɪŋkɹəsi/ /ˌɪdiəˈsɪŋkɹəsi/ /ˌɪdioʊˈsɪŋkɹəsi/ en-au-idiosyncrasy.ogg /ˌədiəˈsəŋkɹəsi/

Word forms

idiosyncrasy idiosyncrasies

Etymology

First attested in 1604, in modern sense since 1665, from Ancient Greek ἰδιοσυγκρασία (idiosunkrasía, “one’s own temperament”), from ἴδιος (ídios, “one’s own”) + σύν (sún, “together”) + κρᾶσις (krâsis, “temperament”). By surface analysis, idio- + syn- + -crasy.

Synonyms

eccentricity foible habit idiocrasy mannerism oddity quirk vagary

Related words

eccentricity habit peculiarity speciality specialness specialty trait

Derived words

idiosyncratic idiosyncratically
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