centripetal Hear it!

centripetal Definition

cen·trip·etal (sen trip′ət'l)

adjective

  1. moving or tending to move toward a center
  2. using or acted on by centripetal force
  3. Bot. developing inward toward the center, as certain flower clusters
  4. Physiol. conveying toward a center; afferent

Etymology: ModL centripetus (coined by Sir Isaac Newton < centri- + L petere, to fall, rush at: see feather + -al

Related Forms:

centripetal Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • acceleration: If a c is centripetal acceleration, then it equals delta-V / delta-t.
  • force: To move to a larger radius, first turn off the centripetal force, then apply the impulse once the new radius is reached.
  • attraction: The RCP resisted Labor's centripetal attraction longer than other parties which had flourished in the war.
  • movement: The centrifugal and centripetal movements of going out and bringing in are appropriately studied together.