Sunday, January 11, 2009

eclectic

eclectic \i-KLEK-tik\, adjective:
1. selecting and using what seems best from various sources or systems; made up of selections from various sources
2. broad in acceptance of ideas or approval from other sources
But, populated by an eclectic collection of Taino Indians, Spanish colonialists, black Africans and -- later on -- vacationing Americans, the city's disparate ethnic roots were to provide ideal ingredients for an impending cooking revolution.
-- Brendan Sainsbury, Miami Herald, 2008-12-14
Offering comedians, cooking classes, rock concerts, authors and a sex therapist, along with an eclectic collection of worship services, Sixth and I Historic Synagogue in downtown Washington doesn't fit the mold of a standard house of worship.
-- Jacqueline L. Salmon, The Washington Post, 2008-09-29
by 1683, from French eclectique, from Greek eklektikos "selective," literally "picking out," from eklektos "selected," from eklegein "pick out, select," from ek "out" + legein "gather, choose." Originally a group of ancient philosophers who selected doctrines from every system; broader sense is first recorded 1814.

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