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adj. 1. Selecting or employing individual elements from a variety of sources, systems, or styles: an eclectic taste in music; an eclectic approach to managing the economy. 2. Made up of or combining elements from a variety of sources: "a popular bar patronized by an eclectic collection of artists, writers, secretaries and aging soldiers on reserve duty" (Curtis Wilkie). n. One that follows an eclectic method. [Greek eklektikos, selective, from eklektos, selected, from eklegein, to select : ek-, out; see ECTO- + legein, to gather; see leg- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] e·clecti·cal·ly adv. |
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