Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Idiosyncrasy

Idˊi-o-syn′cra-sy

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Idiosyncrasies
(#)
.
[Gr. [GREEK];
ἴδιοσ
proper, peculiar + [GREEK] a mixing together, fr. [GREEK] to mix together; [GREEK] with + [GREEK] to mix: cf. F.
idiosyncrasie
. See
Idiom
, and
Crasis
.]
A peculiarity of physical or mental constitution or temperament; a characteristic belonging to, and distinguishing, an individual; characteristic susceptibility; idiocrasy; eccentricity.

Webster 1828 Edition

Idiosyncrasy

IDIOSYN'CRASY

,
Noun.
[Gr. proper, with, and temperament.] A peculiar temperament or organization of a body, by which it is rendered more liable to certain disorders than bodies differently constituted.

Definition 2024

idiosyncrasy

idiosyncrasy

English

Noun

idiosyncrasy ‎(plural idiosyncrasies)

  1. A behavior or way of thinking that is characteristic of a person.
  2. A language or behaviour that is particular to an individual or group.
  3. (medicine) A peculiar individual reaction to a generally innocuous substance or factor.
  4. A peculiarity that serves to distinguish or identify.
    He mastered the idiosyncrasies of English spelling.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Translations

See also

References

  • idiosyncrasy in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
  • idiosyncrasy in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913

Etymology

First attested in 1604, in modern sense since 1665, from Old French idiosyncrasie, from Ancient Greek ἰδιοσυγκρασία ‎(idiosunkrasía, “one’s own temperament”), from ἴδιος ‎(ídios, “one’s own”) + σύν ‎(sún, “together”) + κρᾶσις ‎(krâsis, “temperament”).

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˌɪdɪə(ʊ)ˈsɪŋkrəsi/
  • IPA(key): /ˌɪd.i.əʊˈsɪŋ.krə.si/
  • IPA(key): /ˌɪdi.əˈsɪŋkɹəsi/
  • Hyphenation: idio‧syn‧crasy

Similar Results