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epicenter definition

epi·cen·ter (ep′i sent′ər)

noun

  1. the area of the earth's surface directly above the place of origin, or focus, of an earthquake
  2. a focal or central point
Also epicentrum ep′·i·cen′·trum (-sen′trəm)

Etymology: < ModL epicentrum < epi- + L centrum, center

Related Forms:

  • epicentral ep′i·cen′·tral (-sen′trəl) adjective

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

epicenter Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • transformation: At the epicenter of this transformation are the wholesale DA/DQ providers, which have been both recipients and drivers of change in many markets.

Converse of object

  • become: Even with those daunting truths, Bennington College in Bennington, Vermont was soon to become the epicenter of the modern dance world.

Noun used with modifier

  • earthquake: The geographic point directly above the focus is called the earthquake epicenter.
epicenter usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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"epicenter." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/epicenter>

APA Style

epicenter. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/epicenter

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