eccentric
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Alternative forms
- eccentrick (obsolete)
- excentric
- excentrick (obsolete)
[edit] Etymology
From Latin eccentricus, from Ancient Greek ἔκκεντρος (ekkentros, “not having the earth as the center of an orbit”), from ἐκ (ek, “out”) + κέντρον (kentron, “point”)
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Adjective
eccentric (comparative more eccentric, superlative most eccentric)
- not at or in the centre.
- not perfectly circular.
- an eccentric or elliptical orbit
- having a different center.
- of a person, deviating from the norm; behaving unexpectedly or differently.
- "The recluse has become really eccentric over the years."
- (physiology) (of a motion) against or in the opposite direction of contraction of a muscle. (E.g. flexion of the lower arm (bending of the elbow joint) by an external force while contracting the triceps and other elbow extensor muscles to control that movement; opening of the jaw while flexing the masseter).
- Antonym: concentric. Both concentric and eccentric are collectively referred to as isotonic, the antonym of which is isometric.
[edit] Synonyms
[edit] Derived terms
[edit] Related terms
[edit] Quotations
- 1956 — Arthur C. Clarke, The City and the Stars, p. 40
- Khedron was the only other person in the city who could be called eccentric.
[edit] Translations
not at or in the centre
|
|
not perfectly circular
|
|
having a different center
|
deviating from the norm
|
|
(physiology) (of a motion) against or in the opposite direction of contraction of a muscle
[edit] Noun
eccentric (plural eccentrics)
- One who does not behave like others.
- A disk or wheel with its axis off centre, giving a reciprocating motion.
- (slang) A kook.
[edit] Translations
person who does not behave like others
|
|
off-centre wheel
|
|
