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adj. 1. Departing from a recognized, conventional, or established norm or pattern. See Synonyms at strange. 2. Deviating from a circular form or path, as in an elliptical orbit. 3. a. Not having the same center: eccentric circles. b. Having the axis located elsewhere than at the geometric center. n. 1. One that deviates markedly from an established norm, especially a person of odd or unconventional behavior. 2. Physics A disk or wheel having its axis of revolution displaced from its center so that it is capable of imparting reciprocating motion. [Middle English eccentrik, planetary orbit of which the earth is not at the center, from Medieval Latin eccentricus, not having the same center, from Greek ekkentros : ek-, out of; see ECTO- + kentron, center (from kentein, to prick; see kent- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).] ec·centri·cal·ly adv.  (click for a larger image) eccentriceccentric circles with the center of each circle marked |
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