Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Eclectic

Ec-lec′tic

,
Adj.
[Gr. [GREEK], fr. [GREEK] to pick out, choose out: cf. F.
éclectique
. See
Eclogue
, and cf.
Elect
.]
1.
Selecting; choosing (what is true or excellent in doctrines, opinions, etc.) from various sources or systems;
as, an
eclectic
philosopher
.
2.
Consisting, or made up, of what is chosen or selected;
as, an
eclectic
method; an
eclectic
magazine.
Eclectic physician
, one of a class of practitioners of medicine, who select their modes of practice and medicines from all schools; formerly, sometimes the same as botanic physician.
[U.S.]
Eclectic school
.
(Paint.)
See
Bolognese school
, under
Bolognese
.

Ec-lec′tic

,
Noun.
One who follows an eclectic method.

Webster 1828 Edition


Eclectic

ECLEC'TIC

,
Adj.
[Gr. to choose.] Selecting; choosing; an epithet given to certain philosophers of antiquity, who did not attach themselves to any particular sect, but selected from the opinions and principles of each, what they thought solid and good. Hence we say, an eclectic philosopher; the eclectic sect.

ECLEC'TIC

,
Noun.
A philosopher who selected from the various systems such opinions and principles as he judged to be sound and rational.
1.
A christian who adhered to the doctrines of the Eclectics. Also, one of a sect of physicians.

Definition 2024


eclectic

eclectic

English

Alternative forms

Adjective

eclectic (comparative more eclectic, superlative most eclectic)

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

Derived terms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Translations

See also

Noun

eclectic (plural eclectics)

  1. Someone who selects according to the eclectic method.

Translations