centrifugal Hear it!

centrifugal definition

cen·trifu·gal (sen trif′ə gəl, -yə gəl; chiefly Brit sen′tri fyo̵̅o̅′gəl)

adjective

  1. moving or tending to move away from a center
  2. using or acted on by centrifugal force
  3. Bot. developing from the center outward, as certain flower clusters
  4. Physiol. conveying away from a center; efferent

Etymology: < ModL centrifugus (coined by Sir Isaac Newton < centri- + L fugere, to flee: see fugitive) + -al

noun

a machine that uses or causes centrifugal movement

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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