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idiosyncrasy

[ id-ee-uh-sing-kruh-see, -sin- ]
/ ˌɪd i əˈsɪŋ krə si, -ˈsɪn- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR idiosyncrasy ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural id·i·o·syn·cra·sies.

a characteristic, habit, mannerism, or the like, that is peculiar to an individual.
the physical constitution peculiar to an individual.
a peculiarity of the physical or the mental constitution, especially susceptibility toward drugs, food, etc.Compare allergy (def. 1).

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Also idiocrasy.

Origin of idiosyncrasy

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Greek idiosynkrāsía, equivalent to idio- idio- + syn- syn- + krâs(is) “a blending” + -ia -y3

synonym study for idiosyncrasy

1. See eccentricity.

OTHER WORDS FROM idiosyncrasy

id·i·o·syn·crat·ic [id-ee-oh-sin-krat-ik, -sing-], /ˌɪd i oʊ sɪnˈkræt ɪk, -sɪŋ-/, adjective

Words nearby idiosyncrasy

idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, idiopathy, idiophone, idioplasm, idiosyncrasy, idiosyncratic, idiot, idiot board, idiot box, idiot card
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

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Words related to idiosyncrasy

eccentricity, peculiarity, mannerism, trait, habit, characteristic, feature, trick, affectation, distinction, singularity, bit

Example sentences from the Web for idiosyncrasy

British Dictionary definitions for idiosyncrasy

idiosyncrasy
/ (ˌɪdɪəʊˈsɪŋkrəsɪ) /

noun plural -sies

a tendency, type of behaviour, mannerism, etc, of a specific person; quirk
the composite physical or psychological make-up of a specific person
an abnormal reaction of an individual to specific foods, drugs, or other agents

Word Origin for idiosyncrasy

C17: from Greek idiosunkrasia, from idio- + sunkrasis mixture, temperament, from sun- syn- + kerannunai to mingle
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for idiosyncrasy

idiosyncrasy
[ ĭd′ē-ō-sĭng′krə-sē ]

n.

A structural or behavioral trait peculiar to an individual or a group.
A physiological or temperamental peculiarity.
An unusual individual reaction to food or a drug.

Other words from idiosyncrasy

id′i•o•syn•crat′ic (-sĭn-krăt′ĭk) adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.