ex-, ec-, e-

(Greek: out of, out, outside; away from; used as a prefix)

This is a prefix that is supposed to be used with words or roots of Greek origin. The ex- form is used before vowels or h; ec- goes before consonants.

acentric, eccentric
acentric (ay SEN trik) (adjective)
Not near the center, not central: The sculptor used an acentric wheel to grind off the rough places on the edges of his metal sculpture.
eccentric (ik SEN trik, ek SEN trik) (adjective)
1. Departing from a recognized, conventional, or established norm or pattern: The bookstore owner was a kind but eccentric woman.
2. Strange or unusual: Jared, the scientist, had eccentric behaviors and ideas that were weird as indicated by his eccentric clothes.
3. Not following a perfectly circular path: The asteroid was moving in an eccentric orbit around the star.

The pictures which the eccentric artist painted appeared to have an acentric balance that puzzled the patrons of the gallery.

eccentric (s) (noun), eccentrics (pl)
1. Someone with a strange or an odd personality.
2. Anyone who deviates markedly from what is considered normal; especially, a person of odd or unconventional behavior.
eccentric (adjective), more eccentric, most eccentric
1. Descriptive of a person who deviates from a normally recognized or conventional kind of behavior: Galen's eccentric manner always made people laugh.

May's eccentric uncle willed all of his money to his cat.

2. Referring to something that turns from a normally circular path where the axis is located other than at the geometric center: The eccentric planet was going around its moon in an abnormally devious way.

Karl's eccentric neighbor appeared in public wearing his clothes backward.

Relating to a deviation from a normal practice.
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Pertaining to someone who behaves in a peculiar or odd way.
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Coveying peculiar conduct.
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eccentric vision (s) (noun), eccentric visions (pl)
The fixation of the eyes with a part of the retina other than the fovea.

The fovea is located in the eye, a tiny pit located in the macula of the retina (a small spot in the eye where vision is sharpest) which provides the clearest vision of all.

Only in the fovea are the layers of the retina spread aside to let light fall directly on the cones, the cells that give the sharpest image.

eccentricity (s) (noun), eccentricities (pl)
The quality of being strange or unusual in one's behavior: Some people are not very tolerant of Donald's eccentricity as a politician.

Mildred's talking to her flowers everyday is just one of her eccentricities.

Peculiar behavior or abnormal actions.
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ecclesia (s) (noun), ecclesia (pl)
1. A church, either as a body or as a building.
2. The public legislative assembly of the Greek Athenians.
3. The political assembly of citizens of an ancient Greek state.
ecclesial (adjective)
Pertaining to a church or its functions, teachings, or organization.
ecclesiarch (s) (noun), ecclesiarchs (pl)
1. An official of the Greek Orthodox Church, resembling a sacrist in the Roman Catholic Church.
2. Literally, "a ruler of a church" or church body.
ecclesiarchy (s) (noun), ecclesiarchies (pl)
Governed by a church or a union of church and a country.
ecclesiast (s) (noun), ecclesiasts (pl)
A clergyman or a minister of a church.
ecclesiastic (adjective)
A reference to a person who is in the ministry; especially, of the Christian church.
ecclesiastic (s) (noun), ecclesiastics (pl)
1. A clergyman or other person in religious orders.
2. Of or associated with a church (especially a Christian Church).
3. A member of the ecclesia in ancient Athens.
ecclesiastical (adjective)
1. A reference to the church or the clergy; churchly; clerical; not secular.
2. Associated with a church; especially, a Christian Church.
3. Appropriate to a church or to use in a church: "ecclesiastical architecture"; "ecclesiastical robes".
ecclesiastically (adverb)
In an ecclesiastic manner.
ecclesiasticism (s) (noun), ecclesiasticisms (pl)
1. Excessive adherence to ecclesiastical forms and activities.
2. Religion appropriate to a church and to ecclesiastical principles and practices.
3. Ecclesiastical principles, practices, or spirit.
4. Devotion; especially, excessive devotion or adherence to the principles, forms, or interests of a church.