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

1595–1605; < Greek idiosynkrāsía, equivalent to idio- idio- + syn- syn- + krâs(is) a blending + -ia -y3

OTHER WORDS FROM idiosyncrasy

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

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-sĭngkrə-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•cratic (-sĭn-krătĭk) adj.