Word of the Day

Friday, January 09, 2009

eclectic

\i-KLEK-tik\ , adjective;

selecting and using what seems best from various sources or systems; made up of selections from various sources

broad in acceptance of ideas or approval from other sources

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Quotes:

But, populated by an eclectic collection of Taino Indians, Spanish colonialists, black Africans and -- later on -- vacationing Americans, the city's disparate ethnic roots were to provide ideal ingredients for an impending cooking revolution.

-- Brendan Sainsbury, Miami Herald, 2008-12-14

Offering comedians, cooking classes, rock concerts, authors and a sex therapist, along with an eclectic collection of worship services, Sixth and I Historic Synagogue in downtown Washington doesn't fit the mold of a standard house of worship.

-- Jacqueline L. Salmon, The Washington Post, 2008-09-29

Origin:

by 1683, from French eclectique, from Greek eklektikos "selective," literally "picking out," from eklektos "selected," from eklegein "pick out, select," from ek "out" + legein "gather, choose." Originally a group of ancient philosophers who selected doctrines from every system; broader sense is first recorded 1814.