Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
centre
centri-
-centric
centric
centrifugal
centrifugal force
centrifuge
centriole
centripetal
centripetal force
centrism
centro-
centrobaric
centroid
centrolecithal
centromere
centrosome
Click to move down the list of words
Print Preview
See pronunciation key
Search for "centripe..." in all of MSN Encarta
E-mail this entry
Blog about this entry on MSN Spaces
Download the MSN Encarta Right-Click Dictionary

centripetal

cen·trip·e·tal [ sen tríppət'l ]


adjective 
Definition:
 
1. physics toward center: acting, moving, or pulling toward a center or axis.
See also  centrifugaladj (sense 1)


2. technology employing centripetal force: using or operated by centripetal force

3. physiology 
Same as  afferent


4. botany developing inward: describes a plant part or tissue that develops from the perimeter inward

5. politics centralizing power: tending to concentrate political or administrative power in a central authority

[Early 18th century. < modern Latin centripetus "seeking the center" < Latin petere (see petition)]

cen·trip·e·tal·ly adverb
Advertisement

Also on Encarta
Englishtown: Learn English online
Our Partners
Also on MSN
Encarta Message Boards (© Rubberball/Jupiterimages)
Shopping
© 2009 Microsoft