centrifugal
[ sen-trif-yuh-guh l, -uh-guh l ]
/ sɛnˈtrɪf yə gəl, -ə gəl /
adjective
moving or directed outward from the center (opposed to centripetal).
pertaining to or operated by centrifugal force: a centrifugal pump.
Physiology. efferent.
noun
Machinery.
- a machine for separating different materials by centrifugal force; a centrifuge.
- a rotating, perforated drum holding the materials to be separated in such a machine.
Nearby words
Origin of centrifugal
Related formscen·trif·u·gal·ly, adverb
Can be confusedcentrifugal centripetal
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for centrifugal
British Dictionary definitions for centrifugal
centrifugal
/ (sɛnˈtrɪfjʊɡəl, ˈsɛntrɪˌfjuːɡəl) /
adjective
acting, moving, or tending to move away from a centreCompare centripetal
of, concerned with, or operated by centrifugal forcecentrifugal pump
botany (esp of certain inflorescences) developing outwards from a centre
physiol another word for efferent
noun
any device that uses centrifugal force for its action
the rotating perforated drum in a centrifuge
Derived Formscentrifugally, adverb
Word Origin for centrifugal
C18: from New Latin centrifugus, from centri- + Latin fugere to flee
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for centrifugal
centrifugal
1690s, with adjectival suffix -al (1) + Modern Latin centrifugus, 1687, coined by Sir Isaac Newton (who wrote in Latin) in "Principia" (which is written in Latin), from Latin centri- alternative comb. form of centrum "center" (see center (n.)) + fugere "to flee" (see fugitive). Centrifugal force is Newton's vis centrifuga.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for centrifugal
centrifugal
[ sĕn-trĭf′yə-gəl, -trĭf′ə- ]
adj.
Moving or directed away from a center or axis.
Transmitting nerve impulses away from the central nervous system; efferent.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Science definitions for centrifugal
centrifugal
[ sĕn-trĭf′yə-gəl, -trĭf′ə- ]
Moving or directed away from a center or axis, usually as a result of being spun around the center or axis.
Operated in the manner of a centrifuge.
Transmitting nerve impulses away from the brain or spinal cord; efferent.
Developing or progressing outward from a center or axis, as in the growth of plant structures. For example, in a centrifugal inflorescence such as a cyme, the flowers in the center or tip open first while those on the edge open last. Compare centripetal.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.