n.
Pronunciation: ' sen-tr ə l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin centralis, from centrum center
Date: 1647
1 : containing or constituting a center
2 : of primary importance : ESSENTIAL , PRINCIPAL <the central character of the novel>
3 a : situated at, in, or near the center b : easily accessible from outlying districts <a central location for the new theater>
4 a : centrally placed and superseding separate scattered units < central heating> b : controlling or directing local or branch activities <the central committee>
5 : holding to a middle between extremes : MODERATE
6 : of, relating to, or comprising the brain and spinal cord also : originating within the central nervous system < central deafness>
– cen · tral · ly \ -tr ə -l ē \ adverb