a. and sb. [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, system, etc.
1683. Dryden, Life Plutarch, 37. The Eclectick [printed Electick] Sect, which was begun by Potamon.
1702. trans. 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. 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, I. II. xiv. 289–90. With catholic sympathies and an eclectic turn of mind, Mr. Vavasour saw something good in everybody and everything.
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. (ed. 2), 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. sb. 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 immethodical aphorisming Eclectics, who … choose whatever is most plausible and showy.
1856. R. A. Vaughan, Mystics (ed. 4), I. 71. 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.
