Ecclectic

Ecclectic, more commonly spelled eclectic, is an adjective used to describe an approach that draws on a broad range of sources, styles, or methods rather than adhering to a single tradition. In everyday usage, it characterizes objects, practices, or tastes that combine elements from diverse origins.

The word derives from the Greek eklektikos, meaning "chosen, select," via the French eclectique and the English borrowing. It began to appear in English in the early modern period to describe doctrines or styles that select components from multiple systems.

In philosophy, eclecticism refers to the practice of combining ideas from different philosophical traditions to form a pragmatic or synthetic view. It has been used at various times as a critique of rigid schools, and as a method in education and research.

In architecture, eclecticism denotes mixing elements from different historical styles into a single building or design, a hallmark of 19th-century European and American practice and of Beaux-Arts and Victorian expressions. In visual arts, literature, and interior design, eclectic tendencies mix motifs, media, and genres to create composite works.

In music and culture, eclecticism describes blending genres and influences from diverse cultures or eras, leading to cross-genre collaborations, fusion genres, or collage-like compositions.

See also: eclecticism, syncretism, cross-cultural influence. Note: ecclectic is commonly a misspelling of eclectic.