different between predilection vs idiosyncracy

English

Alternative forms

• prædilection (archaic)

Etymology

Borrowed from French prédilection.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?p?i?.d??l?k.?n?/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?p??.d??l?k.?n?/
• Rhymes: -?k??n

Noun

predilection (countable and uncountable, plural predilections)

1. A condition of favoring or liking; a tendency towards; proclivity; predisposition.
   • 1967, Flann O’Brien, The Third Policeman, ch. 2,

     A row of houses he regards as a row of necessary evils. The softening and degeneration of the human race he attributes to its progressive predilection for interiors and waning interest in the art of going out and staying there.

   • 1987, Edwin M. Yoder Jr., "Lewis Powell a Fine Sense of Balance," Washington Post, 29 Jun.,

     But for him the first rule of judging was to set aside personal predilection and vote the law and the facts.

   • 2000, Terry McCarthy, "Lost Generation," Time Asia, 23 Oct.,

     ... youth’s predilection for revolt.

   • 2001, Marina Cantacuzino, "On deadly ground," The Guardian, 13 Mar.,

     Wilson doesn’t see any inconsistency between his socialism and his predilection for the high life.

Synonyms

• See Thesaurus:predilection

Translations

English

Noun

idiosyncracy (plural idiosyncracies)

1. Alternative spelling of idiosyncrasy

Usage notes

• This spelling is commonly considered a misspelling; etymologically the preferred spelling is idiosyncrasy, which is also the only spelling given by most dictionaries, such as the Dictionary.com Unabridged and the American Heritage Dictionary. This spelling is mentioned in the Oxford English Dictionary's entry for idiosyncrasy, but is marked as erroneous. Webster's Third New International Dictionary gives both spellings, but under the entry name idiosyncrasy.

References