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==Origin==
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Middle English], from Medieval [[Latin]] eccentricus, from [[Greek]] ekkentros, from ex out of + kentron [[center]]
Eccentric first appeared in [[English]] in 1551 as an [[astronomical]] term [[meaning]] "a [[circle]] in which the [[earth]], sun. etc. deviates from its [[center]]." Five years later, in 1556, an adjective form of the [[word]] was added. 129 years later, in 1685, the definition evolved from the [[literal]] to the figurative, and eccentric began being used to describe unconventional or odd [[behavior]]. A noun form of the [[word]] – a [[person]] who [[possesses]] and exhibits these unconventional or odd qualities/behaviors – didn't appear until 1832.
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1531]
==Definitions==
*1a : deviating from an [[established]] or usual [[pattern]] or style <eccentric products>
:b : deviating from [[conventional]] or accepted usage or [[conduct]] especially in odd or whimsical ways <an eccentric millionaire>
*2a : deviating from a [[circular]] path; especially : elliptical 1 <an eccentric [[orbit]]>
:b : located elsewhere than at the [[geometrical]] [[center]]; also : having the [[axis]] or [[support]] so located <an eccentric [[wheel]]>
==Description==
In popular usage, '''eccentricity''' refers to unusual or odd [[behavior]] and "[[socially]] awkward" on the part of an [[individual]]. This [[behavior]] would typically be [[perceived]] as unusual or unnecessary, without being demonstrably maladaptive. Eccentricity is [[contrasted]] with "[[normal]]" behavior, the nearly [[universal]] means by which [[individuals]] in [[society]] solve given [[problems]] and pursue certain priorities in everyday life. People who consistently display benignly eccentric behavior are labeled as "eccentrics".
==Depictions of eccentricity==
Eccentricity is often associated with [[genius]], [[intellectual]] giftedness, or [[creativity]]. The [[individual]]'s eccentric [[behavior]] is [[perceived]] to be the outward [[expression]] of his or her [[unique]] [[intelligence]] or creative [[impulse]]. In this vein, the eccentric's [[habits]] are incomprehensible not because they are illogical or the result of madness, but because they stem from a [[mind]] so [[original]] that it cannot be conformed to societal norms. [[English]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilitarian Utilitarian] thinker [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stuart_Mill John Stuart Mill] wrote that "the amount of eccentricity in a [[society]] has generally been proportional to the amount of [[genius]], [[mental]] [[Vigor|vigour]], and [[moral]] [[courage]] which it contained", and mourned a lack of eccentricity as "the chief [[danger]] of the time". [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Sitwell Edith Sitwell] wrote that eccentricity is "often a kind of innocent [[pride]]", also saying that [[genius]]es and [[aristocrats]] are called eccentrics because "they are entirely unafraid of and uninfluenced by the [[opinions]] and vagaries of the crowd."[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eccentricity_%28behavior%29]
[[Category: Sociology]]
[[Category: Psychology]]
==Origin==
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Middle English], from Medieval [[Latin]] eccentricus, from [[Greek]] ekkentros, from ex out of + kentron [[center]]
Eccentric first appeared in [[English]] in 1551 as an [[astronomical]] term [[meaning]] "a [[circle]] in which the [[earth]], sun. etc. deviates from its [[center]]." Five years later, in 1556, an adjective form of the [[word]] was added. 129 years later, in 1685, the definition evolved from the [[literal]] to the figurative, and eccentric began being used to describe unconventional or odd [[behavior]]. A noun form of the [[word]] – a [[person]] who [[possesses]] and exhibits these unconventional or odd qualities/behaviors – didn't appear until 1832.
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1531]
==Definitions==
*1a : deviating from an [[established]] or usual [[pattern]] or style <eccentric products>
:b : deviating from [[conventional]] or accepted usage or [[conduct]] especially in odd or whimsical ways <an eccentric millionaire>
*2a : deviating from a [[circular]] path; especially : elliptical 1 <an eccentric [[orbit]]>
:b : located elsewhere than at the [[geometrical]] [[center]]; also : having the [[axis]] or [[support]] so located <an eccentric [[wheel]]>
==Description==
In popular usage, '''eccentricity''' refers to unusual or odd [[behavior]] and "[[socially]] awkward" on the part of an [[individual]]. This [[behavior]] would typically be [[perceived]] as unusual or unnecessary, without being demonstrably maladaptive. Eccentricity is [[contrasted]] with "[[normal]]" behavior, the nearly [[universal]] means by which [[individuals]] in [[society]] solve given [[problems]] and pursue certain priorities in everyday life. People who consistently display benignly eccentric behavior are labeled as "eccentrics".
==Depictions of eccentricity==
Eccentricity is often associated with [[genius]], [[intellectual]] giftedness, or [[creativity]]. The [[individual]]'s eccentric [[behavior]] is [[perceived]] to be the outward [[expression]] of his or her [[unique]] [[intelligence]] or creative [[impulse]]. In this vein, the eccentric's [[habits]] are incomprehensible not because they are illogical or the result of madness, but because they stem from a [[mind]] so [[original]] that it cannot be conformed to societal norms. [[English]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilitarian Utilitarian] thinker [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stuart_Mill John Stuart Mill] wrote that "the amount of eccentricity in a [[society]] has generally been proportional to the amount of [[genius]], [[mental]] [[Vigor|vigour]], and [[moral]] [[courage]] which it contained", and mourned a lack of eccentricity as "the chief [[danger]] of the time". [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Sitwell Edith Sitwell] wrote that eccentricity is "often a kind of innocent [[pride]]", also saying that [[genius]]es and [[aristocrats]] are called eccentrics because "they are entirely unafraid of and uninfluenced by the [[opinions]] and vagaries of the crowd."[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eccentricity_%28behavior%29]
[[Category: Sociology]]
[[Category: Psychology]]
