ec·cen·tric

[ik-sen-trik, ek-]
adjective
1.
deviating from the recognized or customary character, practice, etc.; irregular; erratic; peculiar; odd: eccentric conduct; an eccentric person.
2.
Geometry. not having the same center; not concentric: used especially of two circles or spheres at least one of which contains the centers of both.
3.
(of an axis, axle, etc.) not situated in the center.
4.
Machinery. having the axis or support away from the center: an eccentric wheel.
5.
Astronomy. deviating from a circular form, as an elliptic orbit.
noun
6.
a person who has an unusual, peculiar, or odd personality, set of beliefs, or behavior pattern.
7.
something that is unusual, peculiar, or odd.
8.
Machinery. a device for converting circular motion into rectilinear motion, consisting of a disk fixed somewhat off-center to a revolving shaft, and working freely in a surrounding collar (eccentric strap) to which a rod (eccentric rod) is attached.
00:10
Eccentric is an LSAT word you need to know.
So is circular. Does it mean:
Dependent for existence, occurrence, character, etc., on something not yet certain; conditional often fol. by on or upon:
having the form of a circle
Also, especially British, excentric.


Origin:
1350–1400; < Medieval Latin eccentricus < Greek ékkentr(os) out of center (see ec-, center) + Latin -icus -ic

ec·cen·tri·cal, adjective
ec·cen·tri·cal·ly, adverb
non·ec·cen·tric, adjective
non·ec·cen·tri·cal·ly, adverb
un·ec·cen·tric, adjective
un·ec·cen·tri·cal·ly, adverb


1. strange, weird, bizarre.


1. normal, regular, ordinary, customary, conventional.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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World English Dictionary
eccentric (ɪkˈsɛntrɪk) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
adj
1.  deviating or departing from convention, esp in a bizarre manner; irregular or odd
2.  situated away from the centre or the axis
3.  Compare concentric not having a common centre: eccentric circles
4.  not precisely circular
 
n
5.  a person who deviates from normal forms of behaviour, esp in a bizarre manner
6.  a device for converting rotary motion to reciprocating motion
 
[C16: from Medieval Latin eccentricus, from Greek ekkentros out of centre, from ek-ex-1 + kentron centre]
 
ec'centrically
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

eccentric
late 14c. as a term in Ptolemaic astronomy, from M.L. eccentricus, from Gk. ekkentros "out of the center" (as opposed to concentric), from ek "out" + kentron "center" (see center). Figurative sense of "odd, whimsical" (adj.) first recorded 1680s. Noun meaning person with
such qualities first attested 1832.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

eccentric ec·cen·tric (ĭk-sěn'trĭk, ěk-)
adj.

  1. Departing from a recognized, conventional, or established norm or pattern.

  2. Situated or proceeding away from the center.

n.
A person of odd or unconventional behavior.
ec'cen·tric'i·ty (ěk'sěn-trĭs'ĭ-tē) n.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Example sentences
The eccentric circular rotor has three radial vanes, giving three combustion chambers.
The life of an eccentric isn't as satisfying as you might think.
There is a horse, Tapit, who is trained by an eccentric that feeds his thoroughbreds a pint of beer and three eggs every day.
And she's just about the most left-wing eccentric person I know.
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