metacenter

[ met-uh-sen-ter ]
/ ˈmɛt əˌsɛn tər /

noun Naval Architecture.

the intersection between two vertical lines, one through the center of buoyancy of a hull in equilibrium, the other through the center of buoyancy when the hull is inclined slightly to one side or toward one end: the distance of this intersection above the center of gravity is an indication of the initial stability of the hull.
Also especially British, met·a·cen·tre.

Origin of metacenter

From the French word métacentre, dating back to 1785–95. See meta-, center

Words nearby metacenter

metacarpal artery, metacarpectomy, metacarpophalangeal, metacarpophalangeal joint, metacarpus, metacenter, metacentre, metacentric, metacentric chromosome, metacentric height, metacercaria

Example sentences from the Web for meta-centre

  • As this depends upon the situation of the centre of cavity, the meta-centre is often called the shifting-centre.

    The Sailor's Word-Book |William Henry Smyth