In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which is the best one-word substitute for the given phrase. That which is away from the centre.

Introduction / Context:
This is a one-word substitution question. You are asked to choose a single word that best replaces the descriptive phrase “That which is away from the centre.” Such questions test both general vocabulary and your familiarity with Greek and Latin-based roots frequently used in English. The phrase can have both a literal geometric meaning and a figurative meaning related to behaviour, and the correct one-word substitute must match the core idea of being off-centre or deviating from the usual pattern.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The descriptive phrase is “That which is away from the centre”.
The options are “eccentric”, “eclectic”, “ellipsis” and “equine”.
We must choose the word whose core meaning is “off-centre” or “deviating from the usual centre or norm”.
The question is typical of general English and verbal ability sections in competitive exams.

Concept / Approach:
The word “eccentric” literally comes from roots meaning “out of centre”. In geometry, an eccentric circle or orbit does not share the same centre as another. Figuratively, “eccentric” describes a person or behaviour that deviates from the usual pattern, that is, “off-centre” compared to normal expectations. Therefore, it matches both the literal and extended sense of “away from the centre”. The other words have very different meanings: “eclectic” means deriving ideas from a variety of sources, “ellipsis” refers to a punctuation mark or omission in a text, and “equine” relates to horses.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Break down the phrase: “away from the centre” suggests something off-centre or deviating from a central line or norm. Step 2: Recall the meaning of “eccentric”: literally “out of centre”, and figuratively “unconventional or odd”. Step 3: Check “eclectic”: means choosing from many different sources; not about being away from a centre. Step 4: Check “ellipsis”: refers to the omission of words in a sentence or the three-dot symbol “...”, unrelated to physical or figurative centrality. Step 5: Check “equine”: means relating to horses, which clearly does not fit. Step 6: Conclude that “eccentric” is the best one-word substitute for the phrase given.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider geometrical and everyday sentences. In geometry, an eccentric orbit is one that is not perfectly circular and deviates from a common centre. In everyday language, we say “an eccentric person” for someone whose behaviour does not revolve around the usual social norms, that is, who is “away from the centre” of what is considered normal. These usages show that the core idea of “eccentric” aligns closely with “away from the centre” in both literal and metaphorical senses, confirming it as the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Eclectic: Describes a style or approach that selects ideas from diverse sources; it implies variety, not being off-centre or away from a central point.
Ellipsis: Refers to the omission of words in a sentence or the punctuation mark used to show such an omission; it has nothing to do with centrality or being off-centre.
Equine: Means relating to horses or horse-like animals; it is completely unrelated to the idea of being away from a centre in either literal or figurative usage.

Common Pitfalls:
A common confusion comes from the fact that “eccentric” and “eclectic” sound somewhat similar. Some learners also only know “eccentric” in the sense of “weird” or “strange”, without realising its literal connection to being “off-centre”. In one-word substitution questions, it is helpful to know both the root meaning and the extended meaning. Remember: “eccentric = out of centre, unconventional”, “eclectic = drawing from many sources”. Keeping these distinctions clear will help you avoid mistakes in vocabulary-based questions.

Final Answer:
Correct answer: eccentric.