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idiosyncrasy

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idiosyncrasy

Main Entry:: id·i·o·syn·cra·sy
Pronunciation:: \ˌi-dē-ə-ˈsiŋ-krə-sē\
Function:: noun
Inflected Form(s):: plural id·i·o·syn·cra·sies
Etymology:: Greek idiosynkrasia, from idio- + synkerannynai to blend, from syn- + kerannynai to mingle, mix — more at crater
Date:: 1604

1 a: a peculiarity of constitution or temperament : an individualizing characteristic or quality b: individual hypersensitiveness (as to a drug or food)2: characteristic peculiarity (as of temperament) ; broadly : eccentricity

— id·i·o·syn·crat·ic

Listen to the pronunciation of idiosyncratic

\ˌi-dē-ō-(ˌ)sin-ˈkra-tik\ adjective

— id·i·o·syn·crat·i·cal·ly

Listen to the pronunciation of idiosyncratically

\-ˈkra-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Learn more about "idiosyncrasy" and related topics at Britannica.com

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