an eccentric or elliptical orbit
"The recluse has become really eccentric over the years."
Wikipedia foundation.
Eccentric — Ec*cen tric ([e^]k*s[e^]n tr[i^]k), a. [F. excentrique, formerly also spelled eccentrique, fr. LL. eccentros out of the center, eccentric, Gr. e kkentros; ek out of + ke ntron center. See {Ex }, and {Center}, and cf. {Excentral}.] 1. Deviating or … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Eccentric — Ec*cen tric ([e^]k*s[e^]n tr[i^]k), n. 1. A circle not having the same center as another contained in some measure within the first. [1913 Webster] 2. One who, or that which, deviates from regularity; an anomalous or irregular person or thing.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
eccentric — [ek sen′trik, iksen′trik] adj. [ME eccentrik < ML eccentricus < LL eccentros, out of the center, eccentric < Gr ekkentros < ek , out of (see EX 1) + kentron, CENTER] 1. not having the same center, as two circles one inside the other:… … English World dictionary
eccentric — early 15c. (n.) eccentric circle or orbit, 1550s (adj.), originally a term in Ptolemaic astronomy, circle or orbit not having the Earth precisely at its center, from M.Fr. eccentrique and directly from M.L. eccentricus (n. and adj.), from Gk.… … Etymology dictionary
eccentric — [adj] bizarre, unusual aberrant, abnormal, anomalous, beat*, bent*, bizarre, capricious, characteristic, cockeyed, crazy, curious, droll, erratic, far out*, flaky, freak, freakish, funky*, funny, idiosyncratic, irregular, kooky, nutty, odd,… … New thesaurus
eccentric — ► ADJECTIVE 1) unconventional and slightly strange. 2) technical not placed centrally or not having its axis placed centrally. 3) technical (of an orbit) not circular, especially to a marked degree. ► NOUN 1) an eccentric person. 2) a cam or… … English terms dictionary
eccentric — I adjective aberrant, anomalous, bizarre, contrary, curious, departing from the usual course, deviant, deviating, deviative, different, differing, divergent, erratic, extraordinary, idiosyncratic, independent, individual, inusitatus, irregular,… … Law dictionary
eccentric — erratic, odd, queer, peculiar, *strange, singular, unique, quaint, outlandish, curious Analogous words: *abnormal, atypical, aberrant: *irregular, anomalous, unnatural: *exceptional, exceptionable: *fantastic, bizarre, grotesque Contrasted … New Dictionary of Synonyms
eccentric — 01. My neighbor is an [eccentric] old lady who has over 20 cats. 02. They are an [eccentric] couple who dress in funny old clothes, and are always laughing about something. 03. His [eccentric] views have gotten him in trouble a number of times.… … Grammatical examples in English
eccentric — I UK [ɪkˈsentrɪk] / US adjective a) someone who is eccentric often behaves in slightly strange or unusual ways She s regarded as being rather eccentric. an eccentric, difficult genius b) used about actions, decisions, or things that people make… … English dictionary
eccentric — ec|cen|tric1 [ ık sentrık ] adjective someone who is eccentric often behaves in slightly strange or unusual ways: an eccentric, difficult genius She s regarded as being rather eccentric. a. used about actions, decisions, or things that people… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
