centrifugal

American  

[sen-trif-yuh-guhl, -uh-guhl] / sɛnˈtrɪf yə gəl, -ə gəl /

adjective

1. moving or directed outward from the center (centripetal ).

2. pertaining to or operated by centrifugal force.

   a centrifugal pump.

3. Physiology.  efferent.

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noun

1. Machinery.

   1. a machine for separating different materials by centrifugal force; a centrifuge.

   2. a rotating, perforated drum holding the materials to be separated in such a machine.

centrifugal British  

/ sɛnˈtrɪfjʊɡəl, ˈsɛntrɪˌfjuːɡəl /

adjective

1. acting, moving, or tending to move away from a centre Compare centripetal

2. of, concerned with, or operated by centrifugal force

   centrifugal pump

3. botany (esp of certain inflorescences) developing outwards from a centre

4. physiol another word for efferent

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noun

1. any device that uses centrifugal force for its action

2. the rotating perforated drum in a centrifuge

centrifugal Scientific  

/ sĕn-trĭf′yə-gəl,-trĭf′ə- /

1. Moving or directed away from a center or axis, usually as a result of being spun around the center or axis.

2. Operated in the manner of a centrifuge.

3. Transmitting nerve impulses away from the brain or spinal cord; efferent.

4. 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.

5. Compare centripetal

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Other Word Forms

• centrifugally adverb

Etymology

Origin of centrifugal

1715–25; < New Latin centrifug ( us ) center-fleeing ( centri- centri- + Latin -fugus, derivative of fugere to flee) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

These are centrifugal forces shaping the uneasy calm in the world economy.

From BBC

Her moods had a centrifugal force, pulling in everyone in her orbit.

From Salon

The individual tiles and reinforcement bars create a striking impression of an enthralling and vertiginous centrifugal motion.

From Los Angeles Times

The city feels centrifugal, separated in spirit and in geography.

From Los Angeles Times

The “widening gyre” foretells the polarization of society, the centrifugal forces tearing the collective fabric into ideological extremes.

From Salon