ecocentricity
|e-co-sen-tri-si-ty|
🇺🇸
/ˌiːkoʊsɛnˈtrɪsɪti/
🇬🇧
/ˌiːkəʊsɛnˈtrɪsɪti/
nature-centeredness
Etymology
'ecocentricity' originates from modern English, specifically the combining form 'eco-' (from Greek 'oikos') where 'oikos' meant 'house' or 'environment', together with 'centricity' derived from Greek 'kentron'/'Latin' 'centrum' meaning 'center'.
'ecocentricity' changed from the modern formation of the adjective 'ecocentric' (eco- + centric) plus the noun-forming suffix '-ity'; 'eco-' developed in scientific and modern usage from Greek 'oikos' via New Latin/Modern formations, while 'centricity' evolved through Greek 'kentron' → Latin 'centrum' → Old French/ Middle English 'centre' and the later abstract noun-forming '-ity', resulting in the modern English 'ecocentricity'.
Initially, related elements meant 'house' or 'environment' and 'center' ('oikos' and 'kentron'), but over time the combined formation came to mean 'a viewpoint or quality of being centered on ecosystems or nature' rather than a literal 'house-centered' sense.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the state or quality of being ecocentric; an ethical orientation that regards ecosystems and nonhuman nature as having intrinsic value and moral standing independent of human interests.
His ecocentricity influenced the company's conservation policies.
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Noun 2
a perspective or approach in planning, conservation, or decision-making that prioritizes ecosystem integrity, functions, and long-term ecological health over primarily human-centered concerns.
Urban planners adopted ecocentricity when designing green corridors through the city.
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Last updated: 2025/10/10 17:45