center etymology

Etymology

  • Old English center, centre < Middle English centre, center < Latin centrum < Greek kéntron meaning "pointed instrument, goad, spike". It is cognate with the word "centipede" and several words for "century".

Meaning

  • A point equidistant from several points
  • A point around which something rotates
  • The main or most important part of something
  • A place where a particular activity is concentrated

Origin

The word "center" is derived from the Greek word "kéntron," which means "pointed instrument, goad, spike." This word is also the origin of the words "centipede" and "century." The use of the word "center" to refer to a point equidistant from several points is first attested in the 13th century. The use of the word to refer to the main or most important part of something is first attested in the 14th century.

center relate terms

  • amniocentesis

    Etymology amni on Greek for amnion a membrane that surrounds the developing embryo

  • amnion

    Etymology Greek amnion membrane surrounding the embryo Origin The word amnion

  • center

    Etymology Old English center centre lt Middle English centre center lt Latin centr

  • center field

    Etymology The word centerfield originates from the English phrases center field

  • center

    Etymology Old English center centre lt Middle English centre center lt Latin centr

  • field

    Etymology The word field derives from the Middle English word feld which itself is d

  • central

    Etymology The word central is derived from the Latin word centralis which means of

  • centrifugal

    Etymology Centrifugal is derived from Latin centri center fugus fleeing

  • centrist

    Etymology Centrist is derived from the Latin word centrum meaning center Mean

  • cyclone

    Etymology The word cyclone derives from the Greek term kyklōn which means to spin

  • centralize

    Etymology Centralize comes from the Latin word centrum meaning center and the suffix

  • navel

    Etymology The word navel comes from the Middle English word navel which in turn come

  • sweet

    Etymology The word sweet comes from the Old English word swēte which itself evolve

  • think

    Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It involves tracing

  • recent

    Etymology The word etymology is derived from the Greek words etymon meaning true m