eclectic
/ɛkˈlɛk.tɪk/ adjective, noun
Forms eclectics eclectick
- adjective Selecting a mixture of what appears to be best of various doctrines, methods or styles.
- adjective Unrelated and unspecialized; heterogeneous.
- noun Someone who selects according to the eclectic method.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From French éclectique, from Ancient Greek ἐκλεκτικός (eklektikós, “selective”), from ἐκλέγω (eklégō, “to pick, choose”), from ἐκ (ek, “out, from”) + λέγω (légō, “to choose, count”).
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Selecting; choosing (what is true or excellent in doctrines, opinions, etc.) from various sources or systems; as, an eclectic philosopher.
- adjective Consisting, or made up, of what is chosen or selected; as, an eclectic method; an eclectic magazine. Eclectic physician, one of a class of practitioners of medicine, who select their modes of practice and medicines from all schools; formerly, sometimes the same as botanic physician. [U.S.] -- Eclectic school. (Paint.) See Bolognese school, under Bolognese.
- noun One who follows an eclectic method.
Etymology [Gr. éclectique. See Eclogue, and cf. Elect.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “eclectic”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details