131 results for: Center

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

cen·ter

Audio Help [sen-ter] Pronunciation Key

–noun

1.	Geometry. the middle point, as the point within a circle or sphere equally distant from all points of the circumference or surface, or the point within a regular polygon equally distant from the vertices.

2.	a point, pivot, axis, etc., around which anything rotates or revolves: The sun is the center of the solar system.

3.	the source of an influence, action, force, etc.: the center of a problem.

4.	a point, place, person, etc., upon which interest, emotion, etc., focuses: His family is the center of his life.

5.	a principal point, place, or object: a shipping center.

6.	a building or part of a building used as a meeting place for a particular group or having facilities for certain activities: a youth center; The company has a complete recreation center in the basement.

7.	an office or other facility providing a specific service or dealing with a particular emergency: a flood-relief center; a crisis center.

8.	a person, thing, group, etc., occupying the middle position, esp. a body of troops.

9.	the core or middle of anything: chocolate candies with fruit centers.

10.	a store or establishment devoted to a particular subject or hobby, carrying supplies, materials, tools, and books as well as offering guidance and advice: a garden center; a nutrition center.

11.	shopping center.

12.

(usually initial capital letter

) Government.

a.	the part of a legislative assembly, esp. in continental Europe, that sits in the center of the chamber, a position customarily assigned to members of the legislature who hold political views intermediate between those of the Right and Left.

b.	the members of such an assembly who sit in the Center.

c.	the political position of persons who hold moderate views.

d.	politically moderate persons, taken collectively; Centrists; middle-of-the-roaders: Unfortunately, his homeland has always lacked a responsible Center.

13.

Football.

a.	a lineman who occupies a position in the middle of the line and who puts the ball into play by tossing it between his legs to a back.

b.	the position played by this lineman.

14.

Basketball.

a.	a player who participates in a center jump.

b.	the position of the player in the center of the court, where the center jump takes place at the beginning of play.

15.	Ice Hockey. a player who participates in a face-off at the beginning of play.

16.	Baseball. center field.

17.	Physiology. a cluster of nerve cells governing a specific organic process: the vasomotor center.

18.

Mathematics.

a.	the mean position of a figure or system.

b.	the set of elements of a group that commute with every element of the group.

19.

Machinery.

a.	a tapered rod, mounted in the headstock spindle (live center) or the tailstock spindle (dead center) of a lathe, upon which the work to be turned is placed.

b.	one of two similar points on some other machine, as a planing machine, enabling an object to be turned on its axis.

c.	a tapered indentation, in a piece to be turned on a lathe, into which a center is fitted.

–verb (used with object)

20.	to place in or on a center: She centered the clock on the mantelpiece.

21.	to collect to or around a center; focus: He centered his novel on the Civil War.

22.	to determine or mark the center of: A small brass star centered the tabletop.

23.	to adjust, shape, or modify (an object, part, etc.) so that its axis or the like is in a central or normal position: to center the lens of a telescope; to center the work on a lathe.

24.	to place (an object, part, etc.) so as to be equidistant from all bordering or adjacent areas.

25.	Football. snap (def. 20).

26.	to pass (a basketball, hockey puck, etc.) from any place along the periphery toward the middle of the playing area.

–verb (used without object)

27.	to be at or come to a center.

28.	to come to a focus; converge; concentrate (fol. by at, about, around, in, or on): The interest of the book centers specifically on the character of the eccentric hero. Political power in the town centers in the position of mayor.

29.	to gather or accumulate in a cluster; collect (fol. by at, about, around, in, or on): Shops and municipal buildings center around the city square.

—Idiom

30.	on center, from the centerline or midpoint of a structural member, an area of a plan, etc., to that of a similar member, area, etc.: The studs are set 30 inches on center. Abbreviation: o.c.

Also, especially British, centre.

[Origin: 1325–75; var. of ME centre < L centrum < Gk kéntron needle, spur, pivoting point in drawing a circle, deriv. of kenteǐn to sting

]

—Related forms

cen·ter·a·ble, adjective

cen·ter·less, adjective

—Synonyms 1. See middle.

—Antonyms 1. edge.

—Usage note 28. Although sometimes condemned for alleged illogicality, the phrases center about and center around have appeared in edited writing for more than a century to express the sense of gathering or collecting as if around a center: The objections center around the question of fiscal responsibility.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Center

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

cen·ter Audio Help (sěn'tər) Pronunciation Key
n.

A point or place that is equally distant from the sides or outer boundaries of something; the middle: the center of a stage.
1. A point equidistant from the vertices of a regular polygon.
2. A point equidistant from all points on the circumference of a circle or on the surface of a sphere.
3. A place where a particular activity or service is concentrated: a medical center.
4. A point of origin, as of influence, ideas, or actions: a center of power; a center of unrest.
5. An area of dense population: a metropolitan center.
6. A small conical hole made in a piece of work with a center punch so that a drill can be accurately positioned within it.
7. A bar with a conical point used to support work, as during turning on a lathe.
A point around which something rotates or revolves: The sun is the center of our solar system.
A part of an object that is surrounded by the rest; a core: chocolates with soft centers.
1. A place where a particular activity or service is concentrated: a medical center.
2. A point of origin, as of influence, ideas, or actions: a center of power; a center of unrest.
3. An area of dense population: a metropolitan center.
4. A small conical hole made in a piece of work with a center punch so that a drill can be accurately positioned within it.
5. A bar with a conical point used to support work, as during turning on a lathe.
A person or thing that is the chief object of attention, interest, activity, or emotion.
A person, object, or group occupying a middle position.
often Center A political group or a set of policies representing a moderate view between those of the right and the left.
Physiology A group of neurons in the central nervous system that control a particular function: the vasomotor center.
Sports A player who holds a middle position on the field, court, or forward line in some team sports, such as football and basketball.
Baseball Center field.
1. A small conical hole made in a piece of work with a center punch so that a drill can be accurately positioned within it.
2. A bar with a conical point used to support work, as during turning on a lathe.
Architecture A centering.

v. cen·tered, cen·ter·ing, cen·ters

v. tr.

To place in or at the center: centered the vase on the table.
To direct toward a center or central point; concentrate or focus: tried to center the discussion on the main issues.
Sports
1. To pass (a ball or puck) toward the center of a playing area.
2. To play as a center on (a line), as in ice hockey.
Football To pass (the ball) back between the legs to begin a down.

v. intr.

To be concentrated; cluster: The epidemic centered in the urban areas.
To have a central theme or concern; be focused: Her novels center on the problems of adolescence.
Sports To play as a center.

[Middle English centre, from Old French, from Latin centrum, from Greek kentron, center of a circle, from kentein, to prick; see kent- in Indo-European roots.]

Synonyms: These nouns refer to a region, person, or thing around which some activity is concentrated: a great cultural center; the focus of research efforts; the headquarters of a multinational corporation; a town that is the heart of the colony; the hub of a steel empire; the seat of government.

Usage Note: Traditionally, the verb center may be freely used with the prepositions on, upon, in, or at; but some language critics have denounced its use with around as illogical or physically impossible. But the fact that writers persist in using this phrase in sentences such as The discussion centered around the need for curriculum reform, a sentence that 71 percent of the Usage Panel accepts, suggests that many people perceive center around to best represent the true nature of what they are trying to say. Indeed, in an example like A storm of controversy centered around the king, the only appropriate choice seems to be around. Still, if one wishes to avoid the phrase center around, the phrase revolve around is available as an option. Since center can represent various relations involving having, finding, or turning about a center, the choice of a preposition depends on what is intended. There is ample evidence for usages with each preposition listed above. The Panel accepts all of these uses except the one with at. Seventy-seven percent reject the sentence The company has been centered at Atlanta for the last five years. See Usage Note at equal.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
center

c.1374, from O.Fr. centre, from L. centrum "center," orig. fixed point of the two points of a compass, from Gk. kentron "sharp point, goad," from kentein "stitch," from PIE base *kent- "to prick" (cf. Breton kentr "a spur," O.H.G. hantag "sharp, pointed"). The verb is from 1622. Spelling with -re popularized in Britain by Johnson's dictionary, though -er is older. Centrist is 1872, from Fr. politics. Central as U.S. colloquial for "central telephone exchange" is first recorded 1889.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

center
adjective
1.	equally distant from the extremes
2.	of or belonging to neither the right nor the left politically or intellectually [ant: right, left]
noun
1.	an area that is approximately central within some larger region; "it is in the center of town"; "they ran forward into the heart of the struggle"; "they were in the eye of the storm"
2.	the piece of ground in the outfield directly ahead of the catcher; "he hit the ball to deep center" [syn: center field]
3.	a building dedicated to a particular activity; "they were raising money to build a new center for research"
4.	a point equidistant from the ends of a line or the extremities of a figure
5.	the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience; "the gist of the prosecutor's argument"; "the heart and soul of the Republican Party"; "the nub of the story" [syn: kernel]
6.	the object upon which interest and attention focuses; "his stories made him the center of the party"
7.	a cluster of nerve cells governing a specific bodily process; "in most people the speech center is in the left hemisphere"
8.	the middle of a military or naval formation; "they had to reinforce the center"
9.	(basketball) the person who plays center on a basketball team
10.	(football) the person who plays center on the line of scrimmage and snaps the ball to the quarterback; "the center fumbled the handoff"
11.	a place where some particular activity is concentrated; "they received messages from several centers"
12.	politically moderate persons; centrists
13.	(ice hockey) the person who plays center on a hockey team
14.	the sweet central portion of a piece of candy that is enclosed in chocolate or some other covering
15.	mercantile establishment consisting of a carefully landscaped complex of shops representing leading merchandisers; usually includes restaurants and a convenient parking area; a modern version of the traditional marketplace; "a good plaza should have a movie house"; "they spent their weekends at the local malls" [syn: plaza]
16.	the position on a hockey team of the player who participates in the face off at the beginning of the game
17.	(American football) the position of the player on the line of scrimmage who puts the ball in play; "it is a center's responsibility to get the football to the quarterback"
18.	a position on a basketball team of the player who participates in the jump that starts the game
verb
1.	center upon; "Her entire attention centered on her children"; "Our day revolved around our work" [syn: focus on]
2.	direct one's attention on something; "Please focus on your studies and not on your hobbies" [syn: concentrate]
3.	move into the center; "That vase in the picture is not centered"

American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This

center

In addition to the idiom beginning with center, also see front and center.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

cen·ter (sntr)
n.

A point or place in the body that is equally distant from its sides or outer boundaries; the middle.
A group of neurons in the central nervous system that control a particular function.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Main Entry: cen·ter
Variant: or chiefly British cen·tre /'sent-&r/
Function: noun
: a group of nerve cells having a common function <respiratory center> called also nerve center

U.S. Gazetteer - Cite This Source - Share This

Center Point, AL (CDP, FIPS 13264) Location: 33.64313 N, 86.67876 W
Population (1990): 22658 (9081 housing units)
Area: 22.0 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 35215, 35235

Center Valley, WI Zip code(s): 54106

Center Harbor, NH Zip code(s): 03226

Center Moriches, NY (CDP, FIPS 13420) Location: 40.79915 N, 72.79680 W
Population (1990): 5987 (2316 housing units)
Area: 13.0 sq km (land), 1.1 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 11934

Center Line, MI (city, FIPS 14320) Location: 42.48115 N, 83.02520 W
Population (1990): 9026 (3986 housing units)
Area: 4.5 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 48015

Center Lovell, ME Zip code(s): 04016

Center Moreland, PA Zip code(s): 18657

Center Ossipee, NH Zip code(s): 03814

Center Point, IA (city, FIPS 12270) Location: 42.18497 N, 91.77672 W
Population (1990): 1693 (650 housing units)
Area: 5.5 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 52213

Center Point, LA Zip code(s): 71323

Center Point, WV Zip code(s): 26339

Center Ridge, AR Zip code(s): 72027

Center Rutland, VT Zip code(s): 05736

Center Sandwich, NH Zip code(s): 03227

Center Tuftonbor, NH Zip code(s): 03816

Center Valley, PA Zip code(s): 18034

Center Cross, VA Zip code(s): 22437

Center Conway, NH Zip code(s): 03813

Center Barnstead, NH Zip code(s): 03225

Center Hill, FL (city, FIPS 11325) Location: 28.64745 N, 81.99811 W
Population (1990): 735 (309 housing units)
Area: 4.4 sq km (land), 0.1 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 33514

Center Strafford, NH Zip code(s): 03815

Center Junction, IA (city, FIPS 12225) Location: 42.11437 N, 91.08934 W
Population (1990): 166 (70 housing units)
Area: 1.0 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 52212

Center City, MN (city, FIPS 10576) Location: 45.39086 N, 92.81813 W
Population (1990): 451 (159 housing units)
Area: 0.8 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)

Center Point, IN (town, FIPS 11746) Location: 39.41479 N, 87.07454 W
Population (1990): 278 (117 housing units)
Area: 1.9 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)

Center, MO (city, FIPS 12592) Location: 39.50985 N, 91.52851 W
Population (1990): 552 (272 housing units)
Area: 1.0 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 63436

Center, NE (village, FIPS 8360) Location: 42.60891 N, 97.87588 W
Population (1990): 112 (55 housing units)
Area: 0.3 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 68724

Center, CO (town, FIPS 12855) Location: 37.75183 N, 106.10990 W
Population (1990): 1963 (770 housing units)
Area: 2.1 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 81125

Center, TX (city, FIPS 13732) Location: 31.79353 N, 94.17827 W
Population (1990): 4950 (2161 housing units)
Area: 16.0 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 75935

Center, KY Zip code(s): 42214

Center, ND (city, FIPS 13180) Location: 47.11495 N, 101.29692 W
Population (1990): 826 (351 housing units)
Area: 0.9 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)

White Center-Shorewood, WA (CDP, FIPS 78242) Location: 47.50200 N, 122.34977 W
Population (1990): 20531 (8218 housing units)
Area: 10.1 sq km (land), 0.4 sq km (water)

Newton Center, MA Zip code(s): 02159

Newport Center, VT Zip code(s): 05857

Mountain Center, CA Zip code(s): 92561

Mansfield Center, CT Zip code(s): 06250

Marion Center, PA (borough, FIPS 47472) Location: 40.77023 N, 79.04799 W
Population (1990): 476 (198 housing units)
Area: 1.9 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 15759

Monroe Center, IL Zip code(s): 61052

Mark Center, OH Zip code(s): 43536

Milford Center, OH (village, FIPS 50218) Location: 40.17911 N, 83.43708 W
Population (1990): 651 (252 housing units)
Area: 0.9 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 43045

Michigan Center, MI (CDP, FIPS 53580) Location: 42.22686 N, 84.32254 W
Population (1990): 4863 (1976 housing units)
Area: 13.4 sq km (land), 1.2 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 49254

Moriah Center, NY Zip code(s): 12961

Lynn Center, IL Zip code(s): 61262

Jackson Center, PA (borough, FIPS 37496) Location: 41.27321 N, 80.13883 W
Population (1990): 244 (102 housing units)
Area: 3.0 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 16133

Java Center, NY Zip code(s): 14082

Jericho Center, VT Zip code(s): 05465

La Center, WA (town, FIPS 36710) Location: 45.86416 N, 122.66647 W
Population (1990): 451 (168 housing units)
Area: 1.1 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 98629

Le Center, MN (city, FIPS 36134) Location: 44.38758 N, 93.73295 W
Population (1990): 2006 (789 housing units)
Area: 3.3 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 56057

Lee Center, NY Zip code(s): 13363

Liberty Center, IA Zip code(s): 50145

Liberty Center, IN Zip code(s): 46766

Liberty Center, OH (village, FIPS 43414) Location: 41.44344 N, 84.00811 W
Population (1990): 1084 (421 housing units)
Area: 2.7 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 43532

Lincoln Center, ME Zip code(s): 04458

Lyndon Center, VT Zip code(s): 05850

La Center, KY (city, FIPS 43336) Location: 37.07482 N, 88.97410 W
Population (1990): 1040 (466 housing units)
Area: 1.4 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 42056

Jackson Center, OH (village, FIPS 38220) Location: 40.43914 N, 84.03947 W
Population (1990): 1398 (532 housing units)
Area: 2.9 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 45334

Oil Center, NM Zip code(s): 88266

Parkway Center, PA Zip code(s): 15220

State Center, IA (city, FIPS 75135) Location: 42.01530 N, 93.16539 W
Population (1990): 1248 (547 housing units)
Area: 2.5 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 50247

Thetford Center, VT Zip code(s): 05075

Trinity Center, CA Zip code(s): 96091

Valley Center, KS (city, FIPS 73250) Location: 37.83520 N, 97.37347 W
Population (1990): 3624 (1340 housing units)
Area: 4.2 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 67147

Venice Center, NY Zip code(s): 13147

Vernon Center, MN (city, FIPS 66910) Location: 43.96340 N, 94.16669 W
Population (1990): 339 (136 housing units)
Area: 1.2 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 56090

Vernon Center, NY Zip code(s): 13477

Wallpack Center, NJ Zip code(s): 07881

Warren Center, PA Zip code(s): 18851

Waterbury Center, VT Zip code(s): 05677

Smith Center, KS (city, FIPS 65925) Location: 39.77972 N, 98.78314 W
Population (1990): 2016 (1055 housing units)
Area: 3.0 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 66967

Valley Center, CA (CDP, FIPS 81736) Location: 33.21740 N, 117.01099 W
Population (1990): 1711 (686 housing units)
Area: 22.1 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 92082

Platte Center, NE (village, FIPS 39310) Location: 41.53797 N, 97.48717 W
Population (1990): 387 (154 housing units)
Area: 0.8 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 68653

Pomfret Center, CT Zip code(s): 06259

Randolph Center, VT Zip code(s): 05061

Royal Center, IN (town, FIPS 66222) Location: 40.86462 N, 86.50051 W
Population (1990): 859 (367 housing units)
Area: 1.3 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 46978

Rumford Center, ME Zip code(s): 04278

Rush Center, KS (city, FIPS 61775) Location: 38.46487 N, 99.31052 W
Population (1990): 177 (97 housing units)
Area: 1.0 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 67575

Salisbury Center, NY Zip code(s): 13454

Shirley Center, MA Zip code(s): 01464

Sidney Center, NY Zip code(s): 13839

Sioux Center, IA (city, FIPS 73290) Location: 43.07656 N, 96.17148 W
Population (1990): 5074 (1620 housing units)
Area: 13.6 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 51250

Yates Center, KS (city, FIPS 80700) Location: 37.87237 N, 95.74277 W
Population (1990): 1815 (956 housing units)
Area: 5.9 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 66783

Clarence Center, NY (CDP, FIPS 15836) Location: 43.00870 N, 78.63178 W
Population (1990): 1376 (492 housing units)
Area: 5.5 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 14032

Davenport Center, NY Zip code(s): 13751

Clay Center, NE (city, FIPS 9375) Location: 40.52332 N, 98.05474 W
Population (1990): 825 (390 housing units)
Area: 1.4 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 68933

Dickinson Center, NY Zip code(s): 12930

Bovina Center, NY Zip code(s): 13740

Dodge Center, MN (city, FIPS 15994) Location: 44.02860 N, 92.84904 W
Population (1990): 1954 (763 housing units)
Area: 4.3 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 55927

Berrien Center, MI Zip code(s): 49102

Duke Center, PA Zip code(s): 16729

Dunn Center, ND (city, FIPS 20940) Location: 47.35330 N, 102.62376 W
Population (1990): 128 (80 housing units)
Area: 1.0 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 58626

Darien Center, NY Zip code(s): 14040

Dallas Center, IA (city, FIPS 18255) Location: 41.68467 N, 93.98412 W
Population (1990): 1454 (562 housing units)
Area: 10.8 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 50063

Civic Center, CA Zip code(s): 94903

Coal Center, PA (borough, FIPS 14568) Location: 40.06986 N, 79.90125 W
Population (1990): 184 (97 housing units)
Area: 0.3 sq km (land), 0.1 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 15423

Clay Center, KS (city, FIPS 13625) Location: 39.37992 N, 97.12287 W
Population (1990): 4613 (2213 housing units)
Area: 6.0 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 67432

Cochecton Center, NY Zip code(s): 12727

Copper Center, AK (CDP, FIPS 17300) Location: 61.98076 N, 145.35113 W
Population (1990): 449 (244 housing units)
Area: 55.2 sq km (land), 1.1 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 99573

Canton Center, CT Zip code(s): 06020

Byron Center, MI Zip code(s): 49315

Buffalo Center, IA (city, FIPS 9280) Location: 43.38979 N, 93.94307 W
Population (1990): 1081 (507 housing units)
Area: 2.8 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 50424

Ellenburg Center, NY Zip code(s): 12934

U.S. Gazetteer, U.S. Census Bureau

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Center

Cen"ter\, n. [F. centre, fr. L. centrum, fr. round which a circle is described, fr. ? to prick, goad.]

1. A point equally distant from the extremities of a line, figure, or body, or from all parts of the circumference of a circle; the middle point or place.

2. The middle or central portion of anything.

3. A principal or important point of concentration; the nucleus around which things are gathered or to which they tend; an object of attention, action, or force; as, a center of attaction.

4. The earth. [Obs.] --Shak.

5. Those members of a legislative assembly (as in France) who support the existing government. They sit in the middle of the legislative chamber, opposite the presiding officer, between the conservatives or monarchists, who sit on the right of the speaker, and the radicals or advanced republicans who occupy the seats on his left, See Right, and Left.

6. (Arch.) A temporary structure upon which the materials of a vault or arch are supported in position until the work becomes self-supporting.

7. (Mech.) (a) One of the two conical steel pins, in a lathe, etc., upon which the work is held, and about which it revolves. (b) A conical recess, or indentation, in the end of a shaft or other work, to receive the point of a center, on which the work can turn, as in a lathe.

Note: In a lathe the

live center is in the spindle of the head stock; the

dead center is on the tail stock.

Planer centers are stocks carrying centers, when the object to be planed must be turned on its axis.

Center of an army, the body or troops occupying the place in the line between the wings.

Center of a curve or surface (Geom.) (a) A point such that every line drawn through the point and terminated by the curve or surface is bisected at the point. (b) The fixed point of reference in polar co["o]rdinates. See Co["o]rdinates.

Center of curvature of a curve (Geom.), the center of that circle which has at any given point of the curve closer contact with the curve than has any other circle whatever. See Circle.

Center of a fleet, the division or column between the van and rear, or between the weather division and the lee.

Center of gravity (Mech.), that point of a body about which all its parts can be balanced, or which being supported, the whole body will remain at rest, though acted upon by gravity.

Center of gyration (Mech.), that point in a rotating body at which the whole mass might be concentrated (theoretically) without altering the resistance of the intertia of the body to angular acceleration or retardation.

Center of inertia (Mech.), the center of gravity of a body or system of bodies.

Center of motion, the point which remains at rest, while all the other parts of a body move round it.

Center of oscillation, the point at which, if the whole matter of a suspended body were collected, the time of oscillation would be the same as it is in the actual form and state of the body.

Center of percussion, that point in a body moving about a fixed axis at which it may strike an obstacle without communicating a shock to the axis.

Center of pressure (Hydros.), that point in a surface pressed by a fluid, at which, if a force equal to the whole pressure and in the same line be applied in a contrary direction, it will balance or counteract the whole pressure of the fluid.

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Center

Cen"ter\, Centre \Cen"tre\ v. i. [imp. & p. p. Centered or Centred; p. pr. & vb. n. Centering or Centring.]

1. To be placed in a center; to be central.

2. To be collected to a point; to be concentrated; to rest on, or gather about, as a center.

Where there is no visible truth wherein to center, error is as wide as men's fancies. --Dr. H. More.

Our hopes must center in ourselves alone. --Dryden.

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Center

Cen"ter\, Centre \Cen"tre\, v. t. 1. To place or fix in the center or on a central point. --Milton.

2. To collect to a point; to concentrate.

Thy joys are centered all in me alone. --Prior.

3. (Mech.) To form a recess or indentation for the reception of a center.

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Center

Cen"ter*ing\, n. (Arch.) Same as Center, n., 6. [Written also centring.]

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Center

Cen"tral\, a. [L. centralis, fr. centrum: cf. F. central. See Center.] Relating to the center; situated in or near the center or middle; containing the center; of or pertaining to the parts near the center

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Center

Cen"tre\, n. & v. See Center.

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Center

Cin"ter\, n. [F. cintre.] (Arch.) See Center.

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Center

Con*cen"ter\, Concentre \Con*cen"tre\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Concentered or Concentred; p. pr & vb. n. Concenteringor Concentring.] [F. concentrer, fr. L. con- + centrum center. See Center, and cf. Concentrate] To come to one point; to meet in, or converge toward, a common center; to have a common center.

God, in whom all perfections concenter. --Bp. Beveridge.

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Center

Ec*cen"tric\, a. [F. excentrique, formerly also spelled eccentrique, fr. LL. eccentros out of the center, eccentric, Gr. ?; ? out of + ? center. See Ex-, and Center, and cf. Excentral.]

1. Deviating or departing from the center, or from the line of a circle; as, an eccentric or elliptical orbit; pertaining to deviation from the center or from true circular motion.

2. Not having the same center; -- said of circles, ellipses, spheres, etc., which, though coinciding, either in whole or in part, as to area or volume, have not the same center; -- opposed to concentric.

3. (Mach.) Pertaining to an eccentric; as, the eccentric rod in a steam engine.

4. Not coincident as to motive or end.

His own ends, which must needs be often eccentric to those of his master. --Bacon.

5. Deviating from stated methods, usual practice, or established forms or laws; deviating from an appointed sphere or way; departing from the usual course; irregular; anomalous; odd; as, eccentric conduct. "This brave and eccentric young man." --Macaulay.

He shines eccentric, like a comet's blaze. --Savage.

Eccentric anomaly. (Astron.) See Anomaly.

Eccentric chuck (Mach.), a lathe chuck so constructed that the work held by it may be altered as to its center of motion, so as to produce combinations of eccentric combinations of eccentric circles.

Eccentric gear. (Mach.) (a) The whole apparatus, strap, and other parts, by which the motion of an eccentric is transmitted, as in the steam engine. (b) A cogwheel set to turn about an eccentric axis used to give variable rotation.

Eccentric hook or gab, a hook-shaped journal box on the end of an eccentric rod, opposite the strap.

Eccentric rod, the rod that connects as eccentric strap with any part to be acted upon by the eccentric.

Eccentric sheave, or Eccentric pulley, an eccentric.

Eccentric strap, the ring, operating as a journal box, that encircles and receives motion from an eccentric; -- called also eccentric hoop.

Syn: Irregular; anomalous; singular; odd; peculiar; erratic; idiosyncratic; strange; whimsical.

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Center

Grav"i*ty\, n.; pl. Gravities. [L. gravitas, fr. gravis heavy; cf. F. gravit['e]. See Grave, a., Grief.]

1. The state of having weight; beaviness; as, the gravity of lead.

2. Sobriety of character or demeanor. "Men of gravity and learning." --Shak.

3. Importance, significance, dignity, etc; hence, seriousness; enormity; as, the gravity of an offense.

They derive an importance from . . . the gravity of the place where they were uttered. --Burke.

4. (Physics) The tendency of a mass of matter toward a center of attraction; esp., the tendency of a body toward the center of the earth; terrestrial gravitation.

5. (Mus.) Lowness of tone; -- opposed to acuteness.

Center of gravity See under Center.

Gravity battery, See Battery, n., 4.

Specific gravity, the ratio of the weight of a body to the weight of an equal volume of some other body taken as the standard or unit. This standard is usually water for solids and liquids, and air for gases. Thus, 19, the specific gravity of gold, expresses the fact that, bulk for bulk, gold is nineteen times as heavy as water.

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Center

Gy*ra"tion\, n. 1. The act of turning or whirling, as around a fixed center; a circular or spiral motion; motion about an axis; rotation; revolution.

The gyrations of an ascending balloon. --De Quincey.

If a burning coal be nimbly moved round in a circle, with gyrations continually repeated, the whole circle will appear like fire. --Sir I. Newton.

2. (Zo["o]l.) One of the whorls of a spiral univalve shell.

Center of gyration. (Mech.) See under Center.

Radius of gyration the distance between the axis of a rotating body and its center of gyration. --Rankine.

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Center

In*er"ti*a\, n. [L., idleness, fr. iners idle. See Inert.]

1. (Physics) That property of matter by which it tends when at rest to remain so, and when in motion to continue in motion, and in the same straight line or direction, unless acted on by some external force; -- sometimes called vis inerti[ae].

2. Inertness; indisposition to motion, exertion, or action; want of energy; sluggishness.

Men . . . have immense irresolution and inertia. --Carlyle.

3. (Med.) Want of activity; sluggishness; -- said especially of the uterus, when, in labor, its contractions have nearly or wholly ceased.

Center of inertia. (Mech.) See under Center.

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Center

Jo`vi*cen"tric\, a. [See Jove, and Center.] (Astron.) Revolving around the planet Jupiter; appearing as viewed from Jupiter. [R.] --J. R. Hind.

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Center

Left\, n. 1. That part of surrounding space toward which the left side of one's body is turned; as, the house is on the left when you face North.

Put that rose a little more to the left. --Ld. Lytton.

2. Those members of a legislative assembly (as in France) who are in the opposition; the advanced republicans and extreme radicals. They have their seats at the left-hand side of the presiding officer. See Center, and Right.

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Center

Mo"tion\, n. [F., fr. L. motio, fr. movere, motum, to move. See Move.]

1. The act, process, or state of changing place or position; movement; the passing of a body from one place or position to another, whether voluntary or involuntary; -- opposed to rest.

Speaking or mute, all comeliness and grace attends thee, and each word, each motion, forms. --Milton.

2. Power of, or capacity for, motion.

Devoid of sense and motion. --Milton.

3. Direction of movement; course; tendency; as, the motion of the planets is from west to east.

In our proper motion we ascend. --Milton.

4. Change in the relative position of the parts of anything; action of a machine with respect to the relative movement of its parts.

This is the great wheel to which the clock owes its motion. --Dr. H. More.

5. Movement of the mind, desires, or passions; mental act, or impulse to any action; internal activity.

Let a good man obey every good motion rising in his heart, knowing that every such motion proceeds from God. --South.

6. A proposal or suggestion looking to action or progress; esp., a formal proposal made in a deliberative assembly; as, a motion to adjourn.

Yes, I agree, and thank you for your motion. --Shak.

7. (Law) An application made to a court or judge orally in open court. Its object is to obtain an order or rule directing some act to be done in favor of the applicant. --Mozley & W.

8. (Mus.) Change of pitch in successive sounds, whether in the same part or in groups of parts.

The independent motions of different parts sounding together constitute counterpoint. --Grove.

Note: Conjunct motion is that by single degrees of the scale. Contrary motion is that when parts move in opposite directions. Disjunct motion is motion by skips. Oblique motion is that when one part is stationary while another moves. Similar or direct motion is that when parts move in the same direction.

9. A puppet show or puppet. [Obs.]

What motion's this? the model of Nineveh? --Beau. & Fl.

Note: Motion, in mechanics, may be simple or compound.

Simple motions are: (a) straight translation, which, if of indefinite duration, must be reciprocating. (b) Simple rotation, which may be either continuous or reciprocating, and when reciprocating is called oscillating. (c) Helical, which, if of indefinite duration, must be reciprocating.

Compound motion consists of combinations of any of the simple motions.

Center of motion, Harmonic motion, etc. See under Center, Harmonic, etc.

Motion block (Steam Engine), a crosshead.

Perpetual motion (Mech.), an incessant motion conceived to be attainable by a machine supplying its own motive forces independently of any action from without.

Syn: See Movement.

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Center

Cen"ter\, or Centre \Cen"tre\, seal \seal\ . (Gas Manuf.) A compound hydraulic valve for regulating the passage of the gas through a set of purifiers so as to cut out each one in turn for the renewal of the lime.

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Center

Center\, or Centre \Centre\, punch \punch\ . (Mech.) (a) A punch for making indentations or dots in a piece of work, as for suspension between lathe centers, etc. (b) A punch for punching holes in sheet metal, having a small conical center to insure correct locating.

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Center

Os`cil*la"tion\, n. [L. oscillatio a swinging.]

1. The act of oscillating; a swinging or moving backward and forward, like a pendulum; vibration.

2. Fluctuation; variation; change back and forth.

His mind oscillated, undoubtedly; but the extreme points of the oscillation were not very remote. --Macaulay.

Axis of oscillation, Center of oscillation. See under Axis, and Center.

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Center

Per*cus"sion\, n. [L. percussio: cf. F. percussion. See Percuss.]

1. The act of percussing, or striking one body against another; forcible collision, esp. such as gives a sound or report. --Sir I. Newton.

2. Hence: The effect of violent collision; vibratory shock; impression of sound on the ear.

The thunderlike percussion of thy sounds. --Shak.

3. (Med.) The act of tapping or striking the surface of the body in order to learn the condition of the parts beneath by the sound emitted or the sensation imparted to the fingers. Percussion is said to be immediate if the blow is directly upon the body; if some interventing substance, as a pleximeter, is, used, it is called mediate.

Center of percussion. See under Center.

Percussion bullet, a bullet containing a substance which is exploded by percussion; an explosive bullet.

Percussion cap, a small copper cap or cup, containing fulminating powder, and used with a percussion lock to explode gunpowder.

Percussion fuze. See under Fuze.

Percussion lock, the lock of a gun that is fired by percussion upon fulminating powder.

Percussion match, a match which ignites by percussion.

Percussion powder, powder so composed as to ignite by slight percussion; fulminating powder.

Percussion sieve, Percussion table, a machine for sorting ores by agitation in running water.

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Plan"er\, n. 1. One who, or that which, planes; a planing machine; esp., a machine for planing wood or metals.

2. (Print.) A wooden block used for forcing down the type in a form, and making the surface even. --Hansard.

Planer centers. See under Center.

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Center

Pres"sure\ (?; 138), n. [OF., fr. L. pressura, fr. premere. See 4th Press.]

1. The act of pressing, or the condition of being pressed; compression; a squeezing; a crushing; as, a pressure of the hand.

2. A contrasting force or impulse of any kind; as, the pressure of poverty; the pressure of taxes; the pressure of motives on the mind; the pressure of civilization.

Where the pressure of danger was not felt. --Macaulay.

3. Affliction; distress; grievance.

My people's pressures are grievous. --Eikon Basilike.

In the midst of his great troubles and pressures. --Atterbury.

4. Urgency; as, the pressure of business.

5. Impression; stamp; character impressed.

All saws of books, all forms, all pressures past. --Shak.

6. (Mech.) The action of a force against some obstacle or opposing force; a force in the nature of a thrust, distributed over a surface, often estimated with reference to the upon a unit's area.

Atmospheric pressure, Center of pressure, etc. See under Atmospheric, Center, etc.

Back pressure (Steam engine), pressure which resists the motion of the piston, as the pressure of exhaust steam which does not find free outlet.

Fluid pressure, pressure like that exerted by a fluid. It is a thrust which is normal and equally intense in all directions around a point. --Rankine.

Pressure gauge, a gauge for indicating fluid pressure; a manometer.

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Center

Right\ (r[imac]t), a. [OE. right, riht, AS. riht; akin to D. regt, OS. & OHG. reht, G. recht, Dan. ret, Sw. r["a]tt, Icel. r["e]ttr, Goth. ra['i]hts, L. rectus, p. p. of regere to guide, rule; cf. Skr. [.r]ju straight, right. [root]115. Cf. Adroit,Alert, Correct, Dress, Regular, Rector, Recto, Rectum, Regent, Region, Realm, Rich, Royal, Rule.]

1. Straight; direct; not crooked; as, a right line. "Right as any line." --Chaucer

2. Upright; erect from a base; having an upright axis; not oblique; as, right ascension; a right pyramid or cone.

3. Conformed to the constitution of man and the will of God, or to justice and equity; not deviating from the true and just; according with truth and duty; just; true.

That which is conformable to the Supreme Rule is absolutely right, and is called right simply without relation to a special end. --Whately.

2. Fit; suitable; proper; correct; becoming; as, the right man in the right place; the right way from London to Oxford.

5. Characterized by reality or genuineness; real; actual; not spurious. "His right wife." --Chaucer.

In this battle, . . . the Britons never more plainly manifested themselves to be right barbarians. --Milton.

6. According with truth; passing a true judgment; conforming to fact or intent; not mistaken or wrong; not erroneous; correct; as, this is the right faith.

You are right, Justice, and you weigh this well. --Shak.

If there be no prospect beyond the grave, the inference is . . . right, "Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die." --Locke.

7. Most favorable or convenient; fortunate.

The lady has been disappointed on the right side. --Spectator.

8. Of or pertaining to that side of the body in man on which the muscular action is usually stronger than on the other side; -- opposed to left when used in reference to a part of the body; as, the right side, hand, arm. Also applied to the corresponding side of the lower animals.

Became the sovereign's favorite, his right hand. --Longfellow.

Note: In designating the banks of a river, right and left are used always with reference to the position of one who is facing in the direction of the current's flow.

9. Well placed, disposed, or adjusted; orderly; well regulated; correctly done.

10. Designed to be placed or worn outward; as, the right side of a piece of cloth.

At right angles, so as to form a right angle or right angles, as when one line crosses another perpendicularly.

Right and left, in both or all directions. [Colloq.]

Right and left coupling (Pipe fitting), a coupling the opposite ends of which are tapped for a right-handed screw and a left-handed screw, respectivelly.

Right angle. (a) The angle formed by one line meeting another perpendicularly, as the angles ABD, DBC. (b) (Spherics) A spherical angle included between the axes of two great circles whose planes are perpendicular to each other.

Right ascension. See under Ascension.

Right Center (Politics), those members belonging to the Center in a legislative assembly who have sympathies with the Right on political questions. See Center, n., 5.

Right cone, Right cylinder, Right prism, Right pyramid (Geom.), a cone, cylinder, prism, or pyramid, the axis of which is perpendicular to the base.

Right line. See under Line.

Right sailing (Naut.), sailing on one of the four cardinal points, so as to alter a ship's latitude or its longitude, but not both. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.

Right sphere (Astron. & Geol.), a sphere in such a position that the equator cuts the horizon at right angles; in spherical projections, that position of the sphere in which the primitive plane coincides with the plane of the equator.

Note: Right is used elliptically for it is right, what you say is right, true.

"Right," cries his lordship. --Pope.

Syn: Straight; direct; perpendicular; upright; lawful; rightful; true; correct; just; equitable; proper; suitable; becoming.

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Center

Right\, n. [AS. right. See Right, a.]

1. That which is right or correct. Specifically: (a) The straight course; adherence to duty; obedience to lawful authority, divine or human; freedom from guilt, -- the opposite of moral wrong. (b) A true statement; freedom from error of falsehood; adherence to truth or fact.

Seldom your opinions err; Your eyes are always in the right. --Prior. (c) A just judgment or action; that which is true or proper; justice; uprightness; integrity.

Long love to her has borne the faithful knight, And well deserved, had fortune done him right. --Dryden.

2. That to which one has a just claim. Specifically: (a) That which one has a natural claim to exact.

There are no rights whatever, without corresponding duties. --Coleridge. (b) That which one has a legal or social claim to do or to exact; legal power; authority; as, a sheriff has a right to arrest a criminal. (c) That which justly belongs to one; that which one has a claim to possess or own; the interest or share which anyone has in a piece of property; title; claim; interest; ownership.

Born free, he sought his right. --Dryden.

Hast thou not right to all created things? --Milton.

Men have no right to what is not reasonable. --Burke. (d) Privilege or immunity granted by authority.

3. The right side; the side opposite to the left.

Led her to the Souldan's right. --Spenser.

4. In some legislative bodies of Europe (as in France), those members collectively who are conservatives or monarchists. See Center, 5.

5. The outward or most finished surface, as of a piece of cloth, a carpet, etc.

At all right, at all points; in all respects. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Bill of rights, a list of rights; a paper containing a declaration of rights, or the declaration itself. See under Bill.

By right, By rights, or By good rights, rightly; properly; correctly.

He should himself use it by right. --Chaucer.

I should have been a woman by right. --Shak.

Divine right, or

Divine right of kings, a name given to the patriarchal theory of government, especially to the doctrine that no misconduct and no dispossession can forfeit the right of a monarch or his heirs to the throne, and to the obedience of the people.

To rights. (a) In a direct line; straight. [R.] --Woodward. (b) At once; directly. [Obs. or Colloq.] --Swift.

To set to rights, To put to rights, to put in good order; to adjust; to regulate, as what is out of order.

Writ of right (Law), a writ which lay to recover lands in fee simple, unjustly withheld from the true owner. --Blackstone.

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