eccenteric

Adjective

eccentric (comparative more eccentric, superlative most eccentric)

1. Not at or in the centre; away from the centre.
   • Suppose the small pulley on the right to be the driver, the larger wheel with an internal rack and the eccentric wheel within will be driven in opposite directions by the bands represented in the cut, while at the same time motion will be imparted to the intermediate pinion on the left, both round...1847, editorial staff, “Changing Speed and Direction of Circular Motion”, in Scientific American, series 1, Volume 3, Issue 9, page 72

   Synonyms:

   eccentrical, excentrical

2. Not perfectly circular; elliptical.
   • As of 2008, Margaret had the most eccentric orbit of any moon in the solar system, though Nereid's mean eccentricity is greater.

   Synonyms:

   eccentrical, excentrical

3. Having a different center; not concentric.

   Synonyms:

   eccentrical, excentrical

4. (figuratively) Of a person, deviating from the norm; behaving unexpectedly or differently; unconventional and slightly strange.
   • He was a man of a most eccentric turn of mind, and great singularity of conduct.1801, Author not named, Fyfield (John), entry in Eccentric Biography; Or, Sketches of Remarkable Characters, Ancient and Modern, page 127

   Synonyms:

   eccentrical, excentrical, odd, abnormal

5. Of a motion, against or in the opposite direction of contraction of a muscle (such as results from flexion of the lower arm (bending of the elbow joint) by an external force while contracting the triceps and other elbow extensor muscles to control that movement; opening of the jaw while flexing the masseter).

   Antonyms:

   concentric

6. (figuratively) Having different goals or motives.
   • a. 1626, Francis Bacon, 1867, Richard Whately (analysis and notes), James R. Boyd (editor), Essay XI: Wisdom for a Man's Self, Lord Bacon's Essays, page 171,
     […] for whatsoever affairs pass such a man's hands he crooketh them to his own ends, which must needs be often eccentric to those of his...

   Synonyms:

   eccentrical, excentrical

See all 12 meanings of eccentric