centrifugal

¹cen·trif·u·gal

adj
\sen-ˈtri-fyə-gəl, -ˈtri-fi-, especially British ˌsen-tri-ˈfyü-gəl\

Definition of CENTRIFUGAL

1

: proceeding or acting in a direction away from a center or axis

2

: using or acting by centrifugal force <a centrifugal pump>

3

: efferent

4

: tending away from centralization : separatist <centrifugal tendencies in modern society>

— cen·trif·u·gal·ly \-gə-lē\ adverb

Origin of CENTRIFUGAL

New Latin centrifugus, from centr- + Latin fugere to flee — more at fugitive

First Known Use: circa 1721

Other Physics Terms

amplitude, centripetal, convection, gradient, hysteresis, kinetic, lase, quantum