idiosyncrasy
[ id-ee-uh-sing-kruh-see, -sin- ]
/ ˌɪd i əˈsɪŋ krə si, -ˈsɪn- /
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).
Also
idiocrasy.
Origin of idiosyncrasy
SYNONYMS FOR idiosyncrasy
OTHER WORDS FROM idiosyncrasy
id·i·o·syn·crat·ic [id-ee-oh-sin-krat-ik, -sing-] /ˌɪd i oʊ sɪnˈkræt ɪk, -sɪŋ-/, adjectiveWords nearby idiosyncrasy
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
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.