Where does “idiosyncratic” come from?
Idiosyncratic comes from French -ique, Ancient Greek σύν meaning "together," and Proto-Indo-European sem- meaning "one."
idiosyncratic (English): Peculiar to a specific individual; eccentric
Definitions
- Peculiar to a specific individual; eccentric
Ancestry of “idiosyncratic”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | idiosyncrasy | A behavior or way of thinking that is... |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | ἰδιοσυγκρασία | peculiar temperament or habit, idiosyncrasy |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | -ῐ́ᾱ | {{l|en|-ia}}; "suffix forming abstract feminine... |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | -íh₂ | — |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | -h₂ | Creates collective nouns, which refer to groups... |