View synonyms for idiosyncrasy

idiosyncrasy

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

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural id·i·o·syn·cra·sies.

a characteristic, habit, mannerism, or the like, that is peculiar to an individual.
Synonyms: quirk, peculiarity
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 ).

idiosyncrasy

/ ˌɪdɪəʊˈsɪŋkrəsɪ /

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Greek idiosynkrāsía, equivalent to idio- idio- + syn- syn- + krâs(is) “a blending” + -ia -y ³

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

In hay fever certain patients present a peculiar idiosyncrasy, often inherited, almost always neuroarthritic.

What reveals perhaps more distinctly than anything else Chopin's idiosyncrasy is his friendship for Titus Woyciechowski.

He had a constitutional dislike for falsehoods, which was perhaps not so much a virtue as an idiosyncrasy.

They chatted volubly over this idiosyncrasy, and even laughed at it, but quite decorously so that our feelings might be spared.

This very singular idiosyncrasy he attributed to a fright when he was an infant in the arms of his nurse.

April 24, 2024gallimaufry

[gal-uh-maw-free ]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Browse