Adjacent Words

Eclectic definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

ECLEC'TIC, a. [Gr. to choose.] Selecting; choosing; an epithet given to certain philosophers of antiquity, who did not attach themselves to any particular sect, but selected from the opinions and principles of each, what they thought solid and good. Hence we say, an eclectic philosopher; the eclectic sect.
ECLEC'TIC, n. A philosopher who selected from the various systems such opinions and principles as he judged to be sound and rational.
1. A christian who adhered to the doctrines of the Eclectics. Also, one of a sect of physicians.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: selecting what seems best of various styles or ideas n
1: someone who selects according to the eclectic method [syn: eclectic, eclecticist]

Merriam Webster's

I. adjective Etymology: Greek eklektikos, from eklegein to select, from ex- out + legein to gather — more at legend Date: 1683 1. selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines, methods, or styles 2. composed of elements drawn from various sources; also heterogeneous • eclectically adverb II. noun Date: 1817 one who uses an eclectic method or approach

Oxford Reference Dictionary

adj. & n. --adj. 1 deriving ideas, tastes, style, etc., from various sources. 2 Philos. & Art selecting one's beliefs etc. from various sources; attached to no particular school of philosophy. --n. 1 an eclectic person. 2 a person who subscribes to an eclectic school of thought. Derivatives: eclectically adv. eclecticism n. Etymology: Gk eklektikos f. eklego pick out

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Eclectic Ec*lec"tic, a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to pick out, choose out: cf. F. ['e]clectique. See Eclogue, and cf. Elect.] 1. Selecting; choosing (what is true or excellent in doctrines, opinions, etc.) from various sources or systems; as, an eclectic philosopher. 2. 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.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Eclectic Ec*lec"tic, n. One who follows an eclectic method.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

An eclectic collection of objects, ideas, or beliefs is wide-ranging and comes from many different sources. (FORMAL) ...an eclectic collection of paintings, drawings, and prints. = diverse ADJ

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

a. Selecting, selective.

Moby Thesaurus

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