idiosyncrasy

Definition

A behavior or way of thinking that is characteristic of a person or a group.

Etymology

First attested in 1604, in modern sense since 1665, from Ancient Greek ἰδιοσυγκρασία (idiosunkrasía, “one’s own temperament”), from ἴδιος (ídios, “one’s own”) + σύν (sún, “together”) + κρᾶσις (krâsis, “temperament”). By surface analysis, idio- + syn- + -crasy.

Example Sentences

• "This mode of death had been an idiosyncrasy with his family, for generations past; not often occurring, indeed, but, when it does occur, usually attacking individuals about the Judge’s time of life, and generally in the tension of some mental crisis, or, perhaps, in an access of wrath."
• "Every village has its idiosyncrasy, its constitution, often its own code of morality."
• "If he expresses himself such as he is, an idiosyncrasy affected but not annihilated by education, he may say that his books are his own."

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