eccentricity
UK[ˌeksenˈtrɪsəti]US[ˌeksenˈtrɪsəti]
n
strange or unusual behaviour
n
the quality of being eccentric
n
(geometry) a measurement of how much an orbit or ellipse deviates from a perfect circle
Morpheme Breakdown
ec
centr
icity
ec
out
centr
center
icity
state or quality
Etymology
the word 'eccentricity' originates from the late latin 'eccentricus', which itself derives from the greek 'ekkentros', meaning 'out of the center'. this greek term is a compound of 'ek' (out) and 'kentron' (center, point of a circle). in its original astronomical and geometric context, it described a celestial body or circle whose center was not aligned with another, leading to the mathematical definition of orbital deviation. the figurative sense, describing unconventional human behavior that deviates from the societal 'center' or norm, developed in the early 17th century, perfectly preserving the core logic of being 'off-center'.
Analysis
Structure: ec (out) + centr (center) + icity (state or quality)
ec (prefix, from latin 'ex', meaning 'out of'); centr (root, from latin 'centrum', meaning 'center'); icity (suffix, from latin '-icitas', forming nouns indicating a state or quality)
Examples
his eccentricity made him a memorable character in the small town.
the eccentricity of the planet's orbit was calculated by the astronomers.
she was known for her eccentricity, such as wearing mismatched shoes to formal events.