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idiosyncrasy

[id-ee-uh-sing-kruh-see, -sin-]

Origin

noun, plural id·i·o·syn·cra·sies.

a characteristic, habit, mannerism, or the like, that is peculiar to an individual.

the physical constitution peculiar to an individual.

a peculiarity of the physical or the mental constitution, especially susceptibility toward drugs, food, etc. Compare allergy (def. 1).

Also, idiocrasy.

Origin:
1595–1605; < Greek idiosynkrāsía, equivalent to idio- idio- + syn- syn- + krâs(is) a blending + -ia -y³

Related forms

id·i·o·syn·crat·ic

[id-ee-oh-sin-krat-ik, -sing-] , adjective

Synonyms
1. peculiarity, quirk. See eccentricity.

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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implied, rather than expressly stated

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Collins

World English Dictionary

idiosyncrasy (ˌɪdɪəʊˈsɪŋkrəsɪ)

—n , pl -sies
1.	a tendency, type of behaviour, mannerism, etc, of a specific person; quirk
2.	the composite physical or psychological make-up of a specific person
3.	an abnormal reaction of an individual to specific foods, drugs, or other agents

[C17: from Greek idiosunkrasia, from idio- + sunkrasis mixture, temperament, from sun-syn- + kerannunai to mingle]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

idiosyncrasy

c.1600, from Fr. idiosyncrasie, from Gk. idiosynkrasia "a peculiar temperament," from idios "one's own" (see idiom) + synkrasis "temperament, mixture of personal characteristics," from syn "together" + krasis "mixture." Originally in English a medical term meaning "physical

EXPAND

constitution of an individual." Mental sense first attested 1660s.

COLLAPSE

American Heritage

Medical Dictionary

idiosyncrasy id·i·o·syn·cra·sy (ĭd'ē-ō-sĭng'krə-sē)
n.