CENTRIPETAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does centripetal mean? 

• CENTRIPETAL (adjective)
  The adjective CENTRIPETAL has 3 senses:

1. tending to move toward a center

2. tending to unify

3. of a nerve fiber or impulse originating outside and passing toward the central nervous system

  Familiarity information: CENTRIPETAL used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CENTRIPETAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Tending to move toward a center

Context example:

centripetal force

Similar:

inward-developing (toward an axis, as in a sunflower; the oldest flowers are near the edge, the youngest in the center)

inward-moving (moving or directed toward the center or axis, especially when spinning or traveling in a curve)

Antonym:

centrifugal (tending to move away from a center)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Tending to unify

Synonyms:

centripetal; unifying

Similar:

centralising; centralizing (tending to draw to a central point)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Of a nerve fiber or impulse originating outside and passing toward the central nervous system

Synonyms:

centripetal; receptive; sensory

Context example:

sensory neurons

Similar:

afferent (of nerves and nerve impulses; conveying sensory information from the sense organs to the CNS)

 Context examples 

What I think of on this point is, when self is the fixed point the centripetal force is balanced with the centrifugal; when duty, a cause, etc., is the fixed point, the latter force is paramount, and only accident or a series of accidents can balance it.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)