Words / C2

id-ee-uh-SINGKR-uh-see/ˌɪdiəˈsɪŋkrəsi/

An idiosyncrasy is a distinctive, often peculiar, habit or feature of one person or thing: an idiosyncrasy of style, filing idiosyncrasies. A habit (already in the dictionary) is everyday regular action; idiosyncratic (already in the dictionary) is the adjective of oddly personal manner. An axiom (already in the dictionary) is a starting truth taken as given, not a quirk. Nested folders are not a restore test.

Meaning

A distinctive, often peculiar, habit or feature of one person or thing.

Examples

• “An idiosyncrasy of filing is not a backup policy.”
• “A habit is a regular action (already in A2). Idiosyncratic is the adjective (already in C2). An axiom is a starting truth (already in C2) — the contrast. One named live folder can be dull and still exact. A nest of copies with no restore test is a hole. Name the backup; then enjoy the quirk.”

Good to know

A distinctive personal peculiarity. Everyday: habit (already in this dictionary). Adjective: idiosyncratic (already in C2). Contrast: axiom (a given truth — already in C2). A quirk ≠ a backup.

Near in meaning

peculiarity, quirk, mannerism, oddity

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