eclectic
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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English [edit]
Alternative forms [edit]
- eclectick (obsolete)
Etymology [edit]
From French éclectique, from Ancient Greek ἐκλεκτικός (eklektikos, “selective”), from ἐκλέγω (eklegō, “I pick, choose”), from ἐκ (ek, “out, from”) + λέγω (legō, “I choose, count”).
Cognate to elect, which is from Latin rather than Ancient Greek, hence prefix e- (from ex) rather than ἐκ (ek).
Pronunciation [edit]
Adjective [edit]
eclectic (comparative more eclectic, superlative most eclectic)
- Selecting a mixture of what appears to be best of various doctrines, methods or styles.
- 1893, John Robson, Hinduism and its Relations to Christianity, page 211, 214
- Chunder Sen and the Progressive Brahmists broke entirely with Hinduism...and he selected from the scriptures of all creeds what seemed best in them for instruction and for worship. […] It is an eclectic religion: it seeks to select what is good from all religions, and it has become the latest evidence that no eclectic religion can ever influence large numbers of men.
- 1893, John Robson, Hinduism and its Relations to Christianity, page 211, 214
- Unrelated and unspecialized; heterogeneous.
- 1983, Peter J. Wilson, Man, the Promising Primate: The Conditions of Human Evolution, page 140
- All members of the Hominoidea, apes and man, show an eclectic taste in food but select, from a wide range of possibilities, only a few to provide the bulk of their diet.
- 2006, W. Frederick Zimmerman, Should Barack Obama Be President?, page 153
- Colvin said Obama has an eclectic taste in music, listening to everything from Indonesian flute music to OutKast to Motown.
- 1983, Peter J. Wilson, Man, the Promising Primate: The Conditions of Human Evolution, page 140
Derived terms [edit]
Synonyms [edit]
- (unrelated and unspecialized): heterogeneous
Antonyms [edit]
Translations [edit]
selecting a mixture of what appear to be best of various doctrines, methods or styles
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unrelated and unspecialized; heterogeneous
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Translations to be checked
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See also [edit]
Noun [edit]
eclectic (plural eclectics)
- Someone who selects according to the eclectic method.
Translations [edit]
one who selects by the eclectic method
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