different between idiosyncrasy vs individuality

English

Etymology

First attested in 1604, in modern sense since 1665, from Ancient Greek ????????????? (idiosunkrasía, “one’s own temperament”), from ????? (ídios, “one’s own”) + ??? (sún, “together”) + ?????? (krâsis, “temperament”). Analyzable as idio- +? syn- +? -crasy.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /??d??(?)?s??k??si/
• IPA^(key): /??d.i.???s??.k??.si/
• IPA^(key): /??di.??s??k??si/
• (US) IPA^(key): /??dio??s??k??si/
• Hyphenation: idio?syn?crasy

Noun

idiosyncrasy (plural idiosyncrasies)

1. A behavior or way of thinking that is characteristic of a person.
2. A language or behaviour that is particular to an individual or group.
3. (medicine) A peculiar individual reaction to a generally innocuous substance or factor.
4. A peculiarity that serves to distinguish or identify.

Synonyms

• eccentricity
• foible
• habit
• mannerism
• oddity
• quirk
• vagary

Derived terms

• idiosyncratic
• idiosyncratically

Translations

See also

References

• idiosyncrasy in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• idiosyncrasy in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.

English

Etymology

individual +? -ity

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??nd?v?d??u?æl?ti/

Noun

individuality (countable and uncountable, plural individualities)

1. (uncountable) The characteristics that contribute to the differentiation or distinction of someone or something from a group of otherwise comparable identity.
2. (countable)  A person.

Related terms

• individual

Translations

Further reading

• individuality in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• individuality in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.