Can't think of a word.

[rbnyc]

I've been to the thesaurus. I just can’t think of a word I’m sure I’ve used hundreds of times.

What is a word to describe a person who has contradicting characteristics? Not, hypocritical, but more dualistic. (But that’s not the word I can't remember. It’s also not dichotomous.) I know I’ve used this word before to describe a person I know who can be very mean and selfish and also very thoughtful, kind and generous. I know everyone has the capacity for both things, but in her these qualities are very sharp – the contrast defines her. There’s a word for a person who is defined by their contrasting, polar qualities. What is it?

Help!

A side note: May own contradicting qualities: I suffer from both an inferiority complex and delusions of grandeur. Also, I can be very frugal and very frivolous in my spending.

Edit: I meant to ask, what are your most outstanding polar qualaties?

[LucySky]

1. discordant?

[rbnyc]

3. That's a great word.

But it's not the ONE.

I'm aching for that sweet satisfied feeling when I finally see it.

Don't you hate it when you can't remember something that you know you know?

:-)

[LucySky]

2. recalcitrant?

[LucySky]

4. antagonistic?

[TuxedoKat]

22. discrepant?

Found that one when I was checking incongruous, which is the first one I thought of.

dis·crep·ant   /dɪˈskrɛpənt/ Show Spelled
Show IPA

–adjective
(usually of two or more objects, accounts, findings etc.) differing; disagreeing; inconsistent: discrepant accounts.

from www.dictionary.com

[rbnyc]

5. I had to look that up.

Cool!

But not it.

[LucySky]

6. antithetical?

[LucySky]

7. incongruous?

[LucySky]

8. disparate?

[siligut]

9. Cyclothymic? Manic-depressive? Histrionic?

Extremely frustrating?

[LucySky]

10. now you have to tell us when you think of it!!! nt

[siligut]

11. Mercurial? Capricious? Erratic? Unpredictable?

Extremely frustrating?

[petronius]

12. Normal? Typical? Human-natured?

:)

[LiberalEsto]

13. inconsistent?

contradictory? incongruous? paradoxical?

[struggle4progress]

14. Omelet?

[MilesColtrane]

15. Janusian?

After the dual faceted Roman god...?

Duplicitous?

Jekyll and Hyde-ish?

[MilesColtrane]

16. Paradoxical?

[MorningGlow]

17. Contrary? Conflicting? Inconsistent? Paradoxical?

[begin_within]

18. You know who I would ask...

Either Richard Lederer or Charles Harrington Elster.
I would bet either one could come up with the perfect word.
Richard Lederer: http://verbivore.com
Charles Elster: http://members.authorsguild.net/chelster/

[rbnyc]

19. Of course!

I called her a walking paradox. Simple as that. I can't believe I couldn't think of the word paradox. Thanks!

[struggle4progress]

20. Paradox? Why? Did she have both an MD and a PhD?

[rbnyc]

21. groan!

Very punny.

[Angry Dragon]

23. bi-polar??