- Eccentric
- 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 departing from the center, or from the line
of a circle; as, an eccentric or elliptical orbit;
pertaining to deviation from the center or from true
circular motion.
[1913 Webster]
2. Not having the same center; -- said of circles, ellipses, spheres, etc., which, though coinciding, either in whole or in part, as to area or volume, have not the same center; -- opposed to {concentric}. [1913 Webster]
3. (Mach.) Pertaining to an eccentric; as, the eccentric rod in a steam engine. [1913 Webster]
4. Not coincident as to motive or end. [1913 Webster]
His own ends, which must needs be often eccentric to those of his master. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
5. Deviating from stated methods, usual practice, or established forms or laws; deviating from an appointed sphere or way; departing from the usual course; irregular; anomalous; odd; as, eccentric conduct. ``This brave and eccentric young man.'' --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
He shines eccentric, like a comet's blaze. --Savage. [1913 Webster]
{Eccentric anomaly}. (Astron.) See {Anomaly}.
{Eccentric chuck} (Mach.), a lathe chuck so constructed that the work held by it may be altered as to its center of motion, so as to produce combinations of eccentric combinations of eccentric circles.
{Eccentric gear}. (Mach.) (a) The whole apparatus, strap, and other parts, by which the motion of an eccentric is transmitted, as in the steam engine. (b) A cogwheel set to turn about an eccentric axis used to give variable rotation.
{Eccentric hook} or {Eccentric gab}, a hook-shaped journal box on the end of an eccentric rod, opposite the strap.
{Eccentric rod}, the rod that connects an eccentric strap with any part to be acted upon by the eccentric.
{Eccentric sheave}, or {Eccentric pulley}, an eccentric.
{Eccentric strap}, the ring, operating as a journal box, that encircles and receives motion from an eccentric; -- called also {eccentric hoop}.
Syn: Irregular; anomalous; singular; odd; peculiar; erratic; idiosyncratic; strange; whimsical. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
