eclectic, a. and n.
(ɛˈklɛktɪk)
[ad. Gr. ἐκλεκτικός selective, f. ἐκλέγ-ειν to select.]
A. adj.
1. In ancient use, the distinguishing epithet of a class of philosophers who neither attached themselves to any recognized school, nor constructed independent systems, but ‘selected such doctrines as pleased them in every school’ (Liddell and Scott); Diogenes Laertius speaks of an ‘eclectic sect’ founded by Potamon of Alexandria in the second century after Christ. In mod. times this designation has been for similar reasons given to or assumed by various philosophers, notably V. Cousin; and it is also applied to those who combine elements derived from diverse systems of opinion or practice in any science or art. So also eclectic method, eclectic system, etc.
| 1683 Dryden Life Plutarch 37 The Eclectick sect, which was begun by Potamon. 1702 tr. Le Clerc's Prim. Fathers 11 Clemens..followed that manner of Philosophising which was then call'd Eclectick. 1796 Monthly Mag. II. 466 To endeavour at preparing..some eclectic system of belief. 1828 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. xlviii. IV. 465 Era of Latreille, or of the Eclectic System. 1859 Gullick & Timbs Paint. 181 The Eclectic, or..the Academic style was developed..by..the Caracci school. 1878 Morley J. De Maistre Crit. Misc. 101/1 There were three chief schools of thought, the Sensational, the Catholic, and the Eclectic. |
2. More vaguely: That borrows or is borrowed from diverse sources. Also, of persons or personal attributes: Unfettered by narrow system in matters of opinion or practice; broad, not exclusive, in matters of taste.
| 1847 Disraeli Tancred ii. xiv. (1871) 141 With..an eclectic turn of mind, Mr. Vavasour saw something good in everybody. 1865 Lecky Ration. (1878) I. 301 The higher virtue, which binds men..to endeavour to pursue an eclectic course. 1876 Freeman Norm. Conq. V. xxiii. 208 The strangely eclectic character of Scottish royal nomenclature. 1876 C. M. Davies Unorth. Lond. 8 The hymn-book in use is a tremendously eclectic one. 1879 Church Spenser 45 When allowance is made for an eclectic..phraseology..the Shepherd's Calendar is..of great interest. |
3. In etymological nonce-uses. a. Made up of ‘selections’. b. That selects, does not receive indiscriminately.
| 1814 Monthly Rev. LXXIII. 462 The..volumes are wholly eclectic; they contain no original matter. 1876 Gladstone Homeric Synchr. 67 His mind was in the best sense eclectic, and he had a strong..repugnance to the debased. |
B. n. a. An adherent of the Eclectic school of philosophy. b. One who follows the eclectic method; one who finds points of agreement with diverse parties or schools.
| 1817 Coleridge Biog. Lit. I. xii. 281 By certain..Eclectics, who..choose whatever is most plausible. 1856 R. Vaughan Mystics (1860) I. 56 The Alexandrians were eclectics. 1857 W. Smith Thorndale 400 He has added to his title of Utopian that of Eclectic. 1886 Syd. Soc. Lex., Eclectics, a term applied to certain medical practitioners in America. |