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Glite Dictionary
metacenter

metacenter

9.9
A point above a ship's center of gravity that shows how stable the ship is
  • noun
  • /ˈmɛtəˌsɛntər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : metacentro
  • The height of the metacenter above the ship's center of gravity determines its stability.

Examples

  • Naval architects carefully calculate the metacenter to ensure that a vessel will not capsize easily.

  • After modifications, the ship's metacenter was reassessed for safety reasons.

  • The metacenter is crucial.

  • A ship's metacenter matters.

  • Naval architects carefully calculate the metacenter to ensure that a vessel will not capsize easily.

  • The height of the metacenter above the ship's center of gravity determines its stability.

  • After modifications, the ship's metacenter was reassessed for safety reasons.

Surface Forms

metacenter singular
metacenters plural

Morphology

metacenter = center (opaque) = meta + center

Although the word is historically built from 'meta-' + 'center', the shipbuilding term is a specialized technical concept that is not directly predictable for an average learner from the parts alone.

Etymology

The word metacenter comes from the prefix meta- meaning 'beyond' and center meaning 'middle', so it literally means a 'center beyond the middle'. It names the point above a ship's middle that acts as a 'balance point' when the ship tilts, and its height shows how stable the ship is.