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.
Origin of centrifugal
OTHER WORDS FROM centrifugal
cen·trif·u·gal·ly, adverbWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH centrifugal
centrifugal centripetalWords nearby centrifugal
Example sentences from the Web for centrifugal
British Dictionary definitions for centrifugal
centrifugal
/ (sɛnˈtrɪfjʊɡəl, ˈsɛntrɪˌfjuːɡəl) /
adjective
acting, moving, or tending to move away from a centre
Compare centripetal
of, concerned with, or operated by centrifugal force
centrifugal 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 forms of centrifugal
centrifugally, adverbWord Origin for centrifugal
C18: from New Latin
centrifugus, from
centri- + Latin
fugere to flee
Medical 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.
Scientific 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.