Definition of Quirk

1. Noun. A strange attitude or habit.

Exact synonyms: Crotchet, Oddity, Queerness, Quirkiness
Generic synonyms: Strangeness, Unfamiliarity
Derivative terms: Crotchety, Queer, Quirky, Quirky

2. Verb. Twist or curve abruptly. "She quirked her head in a peculiar way"
Generic synonyms: Twist

3. Noun. A narrow groove beside a beading.
Generic synonyms: Channel, Groove

Definition of Quirk

1. n. A sudden turn; a starting from the point or line; hence, an artful evasion or subterfuge; a shift; a quibble; as, the quirks of a pettifogger.

Definition of Quirk

1. Noun. an idiosyncrasy; a slight glitch, mannerism; something unusual about the manner or style of something or someone ¹

2. Noun. (architecture) An acute angle dividing a molding; a groove that runs lengthwise between the upper part of a moulding and a soffit ¹

3. Noun. (archaic) A quibble, evasion, or subterfuge. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Quirk

1. to twist [v -ED, -ING, -S] - See also: twist

Medical Definition of Quirk

1. 1. A sudden turn; a starting from the point or line; hence, an artful evasion or subterfuge; a shift; a quibble; as, the quirks of a pettifogger. "Some quirk or . . . Evasion." "We ground the justification of our nonconformity on dark subtilties and intricate quirks." (Barrow) 2. A fit or turn; a short paroxysm; a caprice. "Quirks of joy and grief." 3. A smart retort; a quibble; a shallow conceit. "Some odd quirks and remnants of wit." (Shak) 4. An irregular air; as, light quirks of music. 5. A piece of ground taken out of any regular ground plot or floor, so as to make a court, yard, etc.; sometimes written quink. 6. A small channel, deeply recessed in proportion to its width, used to insulate and give relief to a convex rounded molding. Quirk molding, a bead between two quirks. Origin: Cf W. Chwiori to turn briskly, or E. Queer. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Quirk

quips
quipster
quipsters
quipu
quipus
quira
quirboilly
quire
quired
quires
quiring
quirister
quiristers
quiritation
quirites
quirk (current term)
quirk bead
quirk molding
quirk moulding
quirked
quirkier
quirkiest
quirkily
quirkiness
quirkinesses
quirking
quirkish
quirks
quirky
quirky subject

Literary usage of Quirk

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine (1840)
"Mr quirk gazed at Mr Gammon with an anxious und puzzled look. ... enquired quirk, who was familiar enough with the means of proving: the exact hour of ..."

2. Massachusetts Reports: Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Judicial by Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (1872)
"quirk. The damages recovered by the officer upon the bond given on the replevin ... PATRICK quirk. Arguing exception! allowed is a waiver of a petition to ..."

3. The British drama; a collection of the most esteemed tragedies, comedies by British drama (1824)
"quirk. No, but I have a mouth, if you would let me open it. quirk. ... quirk. No, nor any thing; else. I hare dangled after half the heirs in town, ..."

4. Modern American Law: A Systematic and Comprehensive Commentary on the by Eugene Allen Gilmore, William Charles Wermuth (1914)
"quirk ET AL. 119 Minn. 316, 138 NW 38. 1912. Appeal from District Court, Hennepin County; John H. Steele and Andrew Holt, Judges. ..."

5. Tait's Edinburgh Magazine by William Tait, Christian Isobel Johnstone (1845)
"M'quirk shall go outside—he can sit upon the top," mentally resolved the barrister. The blood of the M'quirks would not submit to this indignity, ..."

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