( US center )
■ noun
1》 a point or part in the middle of something that is equally distant from all of its sides, ends, or surfaces.
↘the middle player in some team games.
↘(in some team games) a kick, hit, or throw of the ball from the side to the middle of the field.
2》 a point to or from which an activity or process is directed: the city was a ~ of discontent.
3》 a place or group of buildings where a specified activity is concentrated: a conference ~.
■ verb
1》 place in the ~.
↘(in some team games) kick, hit, or throw (the ball) from the side to the middle of the field.
↘ chiefly N. Amer. play as the middle player in some team games.
2》 ( ~ on/around ) have as a major concern or theme.
↘( be ~d in ) occur mainly in or around.
Phrases
~ of attention a person or thing that excites everyone's interest or concern.
~ of attraction
1》 Physics the point to which bodies tend by gravity.
2》 another term for ~ of attention .
~ of curvature Mathematics the ~ of a circle which passes through a curve at a given point and has the same tangent and curvature at that point.
~ of excellence a place where the highest standards are maintained.
~ of gravity a point from which the weight of a body or system may be considered to act. In uniform gravity it is the same as the ~ of mass.
~ of mass a point representing the mean position of the matter in a body or system.
~ of pressure Physics a point on a surface through which the resultant force due to pressure passes.
Derivatives
~most adjective
Origin
ME: from OFr., or from L. centrum , from Gk kentron 'sharp point, stationary point of a pair of compasses', related to kentein 'to prick'.