eccentric
Definitions
Behaving in a strange or unusual way; unconventional but not harmful.
古怪的，行为怪异的（多含善意）
(of an orbit or circle) Not having the same center; off-center.
偏心的，离心的（轨道或圆）
A person who behaves in a strange or unconventional way.
古怪的人，行为怪异的人
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedec- (a form of ex-, 'out of') + centr (center) + -ic (adj.) = 'off-center.' It began as an astronomy term for an orbit whose center is displaced. That picture of sitting 'not where the center should be' jumped to people: someone whose behavior is off the normal center is eccentric — odd, quirky, but usually endearing.
Root centr still carries 9 more wordsWhy It Means This
Eccentric is geometry that became personality. In astronomy, an eccentric orbit is one whose true center is offset from the body it circles — it sits 'off-center.' English took that literal displacement and applied it to people: someone who lives a little off from where the social center is. Crucially, it's not an insult — eccentric usually means charmingly odd, not wrong or dangerous.
Common Collocations
- 1.eccentric behavior古怪的行为
- 2.eccentric character古怪的性格
- 3.eccentric millionaire古怪的富翁
- 4.wildly eccentric极其古怪
Example Sentences
- 1.
Her eccentric uncle keeps a pet goat in the living room.
- 2.
The comet follows a highly eccentric orbit around the sun.
- 3.
The village is full of harmless old eccentrics.
Easily Confused
eccentric vs weird vs crazy — All describe unusual behavior, but the tone differs sharply. Eccentric is gentle and often admiring (a charmingly odd individual). Weird is neutral-to-negative and vaguer. Crazy implies something wrong or out of control. Call a rich, harmless oddball eccentric, not crazy.