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center Definition

cen·ter (sent′ər)

noun

  1. a point equally distant from all points on the circumference of a circle or surface of a sphere
  2. the point around which anything revolves; pivot
    1. a place at which an activity or complex of activities is carried on a shopping center
    2. a place from which ideas, influences, etc. emanate Paris, the fashion center
    3. a place to which many people are attracted a center of interest
  4. the approximate middle point, place, or part of anything
  5. a group of nerve cells regulating a particular function the vasomotor centers
  6. Mech.
    1. one of two tapered or conical pins or rods, as on a lathe, for holding a piece of work in position
    2. an indentation in either end of such a piece in which the pin fits
  7. Mil. that part of an army situated between the flanks
  8. Politics a position, party, or group between the left (radicals and liberals) and the right (conservatives and reactionaries): so called from the position of the seats occupied in some European legislatures
  9. Sports
    1. a player whose position at the start of a contest is at the center of the line or playing area
    2. Football the offensive lineman who passes the ball between the legs to a player in the backfield to start play
    3. Baseball center field

Etymology: ME & OFr centre < L centrum, center, orig., that point of the compass around which the other describes the circle < Gr kentron, sharp point, goad < kentein, to stitch < IE base *ent-, to prick > OHG hantag, sharp, Goth handugs, wise, ON hannarr, skillful

transitive verb

  1. to place in, at, or near the center
  2. to draw to one place; gather to a point
  3. to furnish with a center
  4. Football to pass (the ball) to a player in the backfield: said of the center

intransitive verb

  1. to be centered; be concentrated or focused: usually with on or in
  2. Sports to play the position of center

center Idioms

center around

Informal to have as a central point, focus of attention, etc.

center Synonyms

center

modif.

mid, middle, central, inmost, inner, midway, medial, deepest, inmost, innermost, internal, interior, at the halfway point, median; see also central 1.

Antonyms outer, outside*, exterior.

center Synonyms

center

n.

  1. A central point

    middle, midpoint, focus, nucleus, core, heart, nave, hotbed, hub, omphalos, navel, point of convergence, point of concentration, focal point, midst, middle point, focalization, radiant, centrality, marrow, cynosure, kernel, bull's-eye, pivot, axis, marrow, pith, dead center*.

    Antonyms edge*, verge*, rim. *

  2. A point that attracts people

    city, town, metropolis, plaza, capital, shopping center, trading center, concourse, station, hub, mart, market, crossroads, mall, social center, meeting place, club, market place, common, town common, square.

  3. Essence

    core, gist, kernel; see essence 1. See syn. study at middle.

center Synonyms

center

v.

concentrate, centralize, focus, intensify, unify, unite, combine, converge upon, concenter, join, meet, focalize, gather, close on, consolidate, bring to a focus, center on, center in, center around, revolve around, gather together, flock together, cluster, collect, draw together, bring together, focus attention, attract.

Antonyms decentralize, spread*, branch off.

center Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • gravity: Vehicle tipping is lessened by having a wide wheel base and low center of gravity.
  • galaxy: Material from a large torus of gas and dust in the center of a galaxy is pulled toward a black hole.
  • universe: The Earth stood fixed at the center of the universe, with crystalline spheres within spheres whirling around it.
  • circle: This will make the plane circle with the lower wing toward the center of the circle.
  • retina: Lutein is the primary carotenoid located in the center of the retina, called the macula.

Converse of object

  • align: Headers are by default center aligned within table cells.

Adjective modifier

  • galactic: The rotation curve is a plot of the orbital velocity of the clouds around the galactic center vs. their distance from the Galaxy center.
  • day-care: Would eventually become underwriters day-care centers depends on your record make sure.
  • urban: Diseases that had been epidemic became endemic in urban centers.
  • authorized: If this is the case you will need to have the printer serviced at an Epson authorized service center.
  • metropolitan: In these circumstances there cannot even be talk of new social reforms in the metropolitan centers or of grants of liberties to the colonies.
  • collective: WHO, UNICEF, NATO and UNHCR are meeting today in Tirana to coordinate water and sanitation activities in camps and collective centers.

Modifies a noun

  • underwriting: Centers insurance underwriting decided to give costs for themselves business with keep.
  • michigan: Up costs for of what louisiana quot together you auto center insurance michigan a variety of.

Noun used with modifier

  • detention: As for the question of secret C.I.A. detention centers in Europe, the new report offered no hard evidence.
  • data: The census data center care may affect medicaid options for still should be.
  • convention: Is covered start convention centers or the us the map shop.
  • shopping: Situated in the center of Nice, opposite the " Nice Etoile " shopping center.
  • fitness: Fitness center deluxe put them on advise the trip.
  • daycare: If you're thinking I probably wished we'd been located in the old daycare center, you'd be right.