Difference between revisions of "Idiosyncrasy"
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==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
[[Greek]] ''idiosynkrasia'' or ἰδιοσυγκρασία "a peculiar [[temperament]]", "[[habit]] of [[body]]" from ''idio''- + ''synkerannynai'' to blend, from ''syn''- + ''kerannynai'' to mingle, mix | [[Greek]] ''idiosynkrasia'' or ἰδιοσυγκρασία "a peculiar [[temperament]]", "[[habit]] of [[body]]" from ''idio''- + ''synkerannynai'' to blend, from ''syn''- + ''kerannynai'' to mingle, mix | ||
| − | *[ | + | *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_century 1604] |
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
An '''idiosyncrasy''' is an [[unusual]] feature of a person (though there are also other uses, see below). It also means odd [[habit]]. The term is often used to express [[eccentricity]] or peculiarity. A synonym may be quirk. | An '''idiosyncrasy''' is an [[unusual]] feature of a person (though there are also other uses, see below). It also means odd [[habit]]. The term is often used to express [[eccentricity]] or peculiarity. A synonym may be quirk. | ||
| − | The term can also be applied to [[symbols]] or [[words]]. Idiosyncratic symbols mean one thing for a particular [[person]], as a blade could mean [[war]], but to someone else, it could symbolize a [[surgery]]. By the same [[principle]], linguists (such as [ | + | The term can also be applied to [[symbols]] or [[words]]. Idiosyncratic symbols mean one thing for a particular [[person]], as a blade could mean [[war]], but to someone else, it could symbolize a [[surgery]]. By the same [[principle]], linguists (such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_de_Saussure Ferdinand de Saussure]) state that words are not only [[arbitrary]], but also largely idiosyncratic [[signs]]. |
[[Category: General Reference]] | [[Category: General Reference]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:56, 12 December 2020
Origin
Greek idiosynkrasia or ἰδιοσυγκρασία "a peculiar temperament", "habit of body" from idio- + synkerannynai to blend, from syn- + kerannynai to mingle, mix
Description
An idiosyncrasy is an unusual feature of a person (though there are also other uses, see below). It also means odd habit. The term is often used to express eccentricity or peculiarity. A synonym may be quirk.
The term can also be applied to symbols or words. Idiosyncratic symbols mean one thing for a particular person, as a blade could mean war, but to someone else, it could symbolize a surgery. By the same principle, linguists (such as Ferdinand de Saussure) state that words are not only arbitrary, but also largely idiosyncratic signs.
