quirk

First attested in the 1540s. Of uncertain origin.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /kwɜːk/

• Audio (US)

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• Rhymes: -ɜː(r)k

quirk (plural quirks)

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

   The car steers cleanly, but the gearshift has a few quirks.

2. (architecture) An acute angle dividing a molding; a groove that runs lengthwise between the upper part of a moulding and a soffit
3. (archaic) A quibble, evasion, or subterfuge.
   • Ben Jonson

     Had you no quirk / To avoid gullage, sir, by such a creature?

• quirky

quirk (third-person singular simple present quirks, present participle quirking, simple past and past participle quirked)

1. (transitive, intransitive) To move with a wry jerk.

   He quirked an eyebrow.

   The corners of her mouth quirked.

2. (transitive, architecture) To furnish with a quirk or channel.