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   Cen·ter

   /ˈsen(t)ər/

   

   noun

   • 1. the middle point of a circle or sphere, equidistant from every point on the circumference or surface.
   • ▪ a point or part that is equally distant from all sides, ends, or surfaces of something: "the center of the ceiling"
   • ▪ a political party or group holding moderate opinions: "a new center party"
   • ▪ (in many sports) the middle player in a line or group: "many coaches instruct their center to charge viciously on all plays"
   • ▪ the player who is positioned near the basket and is typically tallest on the team: "only 10 centers averaged more than 10 points per game last year"
   • ▪ a core, such as the filling in a piece of chocolate: "truffles with liqueur centers"
   • ▪ a pivot or axis of rotation: "the galactic rotation of the solar system around the galactic center"
   • ▪ short for center field
   • ▪ a conical adjustable support for a workpiece in a lathe or similar machine.
   • 2. the point from which an activity or process is directed, or on which it is focused: "the city was a center of discontent"
   • ▪ the most important place in the respect specified: "Geneva was then the center of the international world"
   • 3. a place or group of buildings where a specified activity is concentrated: "a center for medical research"

   verb

   • 1. occur mainly in or around (a specified place): "the mercantile association was centered in northern Germany"
   • ▪ have or cause to have (a specified concern or theme): "the case centers around the couple's adopted children"
   • 2. place in the middle: "to center the needle, turn the knob"
   • ▪ (in soccer, hockey, and other team games) kick, hit, or throw the ball from the side to the middle of the playing area: "he centered from a difficult position on the left"
   • ▪ pass (the ball) back from the ground to another player to begin a down; snap: "West Virginia's offense lined up to center the ball"
   • ▪ play the central position in (a line of three forwards): "Derlago will center Leafs' No. 1 line with Vaive and Clark on wings"

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin centrum, from Greek kentron ‘sharp point, stationary point of a pair of compasses’, related to kentein ‘to prick’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. centermost adjective

   Scrabble Points: 8

   • C

     3

   • E

     1

   • N

     1

   • T

     1

   • E

     1

   • R

     1

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