centre of gravitycenter of gravityn.
/ˌsɛntə əv ˈɡravᵻti/, U.S. /ˌsɛn(t)ər əv ˈɡrævədi/ 1. † a. The point or mass towards which a body tends under the influence of gravity; = centre of attraction n. (a) at centre n.1 and adj. Phrases 1c. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > mechanics > force > gravity > [noun] > point to which bodies tend
centre of gravity1624
centre of attraction1654
bias1674
1624 T. Higgons Mystical Babylon ii. 26 Wee fall into the earth; as the Centre of grauitie, to which all heauie things doe tend.
1673 M. Hale Ess. Fluid Bodies ii. 9 I am not here to trouble my self with these Philosophical Questions, whether there be any other Centre of Gravity than the Centre of the Earth for weighty Bodies?
1705 C. Purshall Ess. Mechanism Macrocosm 98 The Earth still Remains the True Center of Gravity.
1806 H. Kett Elem. Gen. Knowl. (ed. 6) II. 119 The planets are retained in their orbits by the united operation of the centripetal force, by which a body is attracted to the centre of gravity.
b. The dominant influence, power, or object of interest in a particular context or sphere of activity; the area or location in which influence or power is most densely concentrated.Also with preceding adjective indicating a particular context or sphere: see quot. 1937.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [noun] > that which is important > most important
moreOE
firstc1275
principala1393
chiefa1400
main chance1577
forefront1589
principal verb1602
centre of gravity1718
avatar1859
main stem1900
Big Apple1909
prima ballerina1923
centrepiece1937
1718 J. Breval Play is Plot ii. 21 Those flaunting young Huzzies..whose Center of Gravity is the Play-house, the Park, or the Drawing-Room.
1780 London Courant 31 Jan. 2/3 No talents are necessary to administer a government of corruption, an empty heart and full purse, are all the dirty work requires. The dull dead weight of gold forms the centre of gravity.
1818 S. T. Coleridge Friend (new ed.) III. 132 In fine, religion, true or false, is and ever has been the moral centre of gravity in Christendom, to which all other things must and will accommodate themselves.
1871 N. Amer. Rev. Jan. 156 This virtual realization of ‘the dream of German unity’ is tantamount, politically speaking, to a complete change in the European centre of gravity.
1937 Discovery Sept. 266/2 The wage-earner is now the centre of political gravity.
1974 N. Rejwan Nasserist Ideol. ix. 147 Already in the late fifties the Arab cultural centre of gravity was fast shifting to Beirut.
2012 Garden City (Kansas) Telegram 3 Dec. a2/4 The center of gravity of the world economy has moved to the east.
2. The point through which gravity may be considered to act upon a body or system of bodies; = centre of mass n. at centre n.1 and adj. Phrases 1r.The centre of gravity of a body or system of bodies coincides with its centre of mass in a uniform gravitational field.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > mechanics > dynamics > statics > [noun] > equal balance of opposing forces > centre of mass or gravity
centre of gravity1633
centre1668
centre of inertia1785
centre of balance1797
centre of mass1842
centroid1844
1591 T. Digges L. Digges's Geom. Pract. Treat. (rev. ed.) 178 There is in the Axis of euery Peece one onely pointe, whereupon if the Bodye of the Peece should be suspended, she shall hang in a perfect Counterpoyse, and that pointe I call the Center of her Grauity.]
1633 tr. Math. Recreations 26 Let a needle be set perpendicular to the Horizon, and the center of gravitie of the stone, be placed on the top of the Nedle: it is evident that the stone cannot fall.
1666 I. Newton MS 16 May in Corr. (1961) III. 55 Note yt by a body is meant its center of gravity.
1735 Grub-St. Jrnl. 6 Feb. 2/1 The centre of gravity of gravity of our own bodies is within the perpendicular of the extreams of our feet.
1784 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 74 57 If the two stars should contain equal, or nearly equal, quantities of matter, the periodical times might be somewhat less, on account of their revolving about their common centre of gravity.
1834 T. Carlyle Sartor Resartus iii. vii. 88/2 The casting of this pebble from my hand alters the centre of gravity of the Universe.
1882 Builder & Wood-worker Aug. 144/1 Having the center of gravity of one voussoir, the centers of gravity of the others can easily be obtained from it.
1912 W. Watson Gen. Physics i. iv. 40 The centre of gravity of a straight cylinder is obviously at the centre point of the axis.
1955 Anderson (Indiana) Herald 29 Nov. 6/2 The patented ‘Land-O-Matic’ gear and a low center of gravity allows smoother, safer landings.
2013 M. Foss & T. Farine Sci. Nursing & Health Care (ed. 2) x. 240 When the plank is supported below the centre of gravity, it is not subject to a net turning force.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2016; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
<
n.1624