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

centrifugal Related Forms

cen·trif′u·gally adverb

centrifugal Synonyms

centrifugal

modif.

eccentric, diverging, radiating, outward, radial, diffusive, divergent, deviating, efferent, deviating from the center; see also spiral, spreading.

centrifugal Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • blower: In order to achieve vertical lift he envisaged the use of four centrifugal blowers disposed around the aircraft's center of gravity.
  • compressor: The US will continue to be the hub for the production of centrifugal compressors.
  • clutch: In order to gate the device to lock off you need to be falling fast enough to spin the centrifugal clutch up to speed.
  • separator: Has anyone ever rigged up a centrifugal separator to remove the oil?
  • pump: The centrifugal pump is the most commonly used pump.
  • tendency: There is a standing centrifugal tendency in the church from Paul to Luke.