dead center


noun Machinery.

Also called dead point. (in a reciprocating engine) either of two positions at which the crank cannot be turned by the connecting rod, occurring at each end of a stroke when the crank and connecting rod are in the same line.
See under center(def 19a).

Origin of dead center

First recorded in 1870–75

OTHER WORDS FROM dead center

dead-cen·ter, adjective

Definition for dead center (2 of 2)

center
[ sen-ter ]
/ ˈsɛn tər /

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Also especially British, cen·tre.

Origin of center

1325–75; variant of Middle English centre < Latin centrum < Greek kéntron needle, spur, pivoting point in drawing a circle, derivative of kenteîn to sting

usage note for center

28. Although sometimes condemned for alleged illogicality, the phrases center about and center around have appeared in edited writing for more than a century to express the sense of gathering or collecting as if around a center: The objections center around the question of fiscal responsibility.

OTHER WORDS FROM center

cen·ter·a·ble, adjective cen·ter·less, adjective su·per·cen·ter, noun

British Dictionary definitions for dead center

center
/ (ˈsɛntə) /

noun, verb

the US spelling of centre

Medical definitions for dead center

center
[ sĕntər ]

n.

A point or place in the body that is equally distant from its sides or outer boundaries; the middle.
A group of neurons in the central nervous system that control a particular function.

Idioms and Phrases with dead center

center