n. That point from which all the points of a circumference or of the superficies of a sphere are equally distant: in a regular figure or body the center is a point so situated with reference to the circumscribed circle or sphere.n. The middle point or part of any surface or solid.n. The fixed point once supposed to exist in the middle of the universe.n. In heraldry, the middle point, whether of the whole field or of the chief or base.n. One of the points of the two lathe-spindles on which an object to be turned is placed, distinguished as the front or live center, on the spindle of the head-stock, and the dead center, on that of the tail-stock: also, one of two similar points for holding an object to be operated on by some other machine, as a planing-machine, and enabling the object to be turned round on its axis.n. A point of concentration or diffusion; the nucleus about which or into which things are collected or from which they diverge or emerge: as, a center of attraction; a center of power.n. The central object; the principal point; the point of chief interest: as, the center of a diplomatic negotiation.n. 8. Milit.:n. In an army, the body of troops occupying the middle place in the line, between the wings.n. In a fleet, the division between the van and rear of the line of battle, or between the weather and lee divisions in the order of sailing.n. 9. In marksmanship:n. The part of a target next the bull's-eye.n. A shot striking the target within the circle or square next the bull's-eye.n. 10. The title given to the leaders of the organization of Fenians.n. In the French and some other legislative assemblies, the name given to the group of deputies who hold moderate views, intermediate between the Right, or conservatives, and the Left, of which the extreme is the radical party.n. The mean position of a figure or system: as, the center of mass or of inertia. (See below.)n. A point such that, if the whole mass considered were concentrated there, some important result would remain unchanged: as, the center of gravity.n. See harmonic.n. Synonyms Midst, etc. See middle. n.To place on a center; fix on a central point.To collect to a point.To be placed in a center or in the middle.To meet or be collected in one point; be concentrated or united in or about a focus, literally or figuratively.n. An arched frame on which the arch of a bridge or any vaulted work is supported during its construction: same as centering.n. A point so situated with regard to a locus that all chords of the locus, drawn through the point, are bisected in it. The pole of a straight at infinity with respect to a certain conic is the center of the conic.n. In foot-ball, roller-polo, basket-ball, hockey, and other games, the one who plays in the middle of the forward line; in foot-ball, the snap-back.n. Any group or collection of cells, within the brain, that subserves a single function.n. The point at which a body must be supported in order to remain quietly balanced when the wind is blowing on it. For plane plates the location of the center as determined by Kümmer varies with the dimensions of the plate, but is always in front of the center of the figure.n. The visual center of the retina, where sight is keenest. Also called the yellow spot. See macula lutea, under macula and also under retina (10).n. The center about which any moving piece or assemblage of pieces in a mechanism can be supposed to be rotating at any instant. Notwithstanding that the relative positions of such pieces or links may be constantly changing, yet at any instant they will be turning round a common center, which, however, shifts in space with each new relative position of the links. The determination of the virtual center, as it is sometimes called, is of use in estimating the relative velocity-ratios and forces acting on the bodies.
