non-bicentric
|non-bi-cen-tric|
🇺🇸
/nɑnbaɪˈsɛntrɪk/
🇬🇧
/nɒnbaɪˈsɛntrɪk/
not two-centered
Etymology
'non-bicentric' originates in modern English as a compound formed from the negative prefix 'non-' meaning 'not' and the adjective 'bicentric' (from 'bi-' + 'centric'), where 'bi-' meant 'two' and 'centric' related to 'center'.
'bicentric' itself is a modern formation combining Latin/Latinized 'bi-' (two) with elements from Greek/Latin 'centric' (from Greek 'kentron' via Latin 'centrum' meaning 'center'); 'non-' is a Latinate prefix used in English to negate adjectives and nouns, producing 'non-bicentric'.
Initially the components meant 'not' + 'having two centers'; the compounded meaning has remained literal and compositional as 'not having two centers' and is applied metaphorically in domains like urban planning and sociolinguistics.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not bicentric; having a single center or focal point rather than two separate centers (used of physical layouts, structures, or systems).
The historic city is non-bicentric, its life and traffic organized around one main square.
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Adjective 2
not bicentric in a sociolinguistic sense: lacking two standard or normative centers (for example, a language or variety dominated by a single standard rather than two competing standards).
Unlike English, which is often described as bicentric, the nation's variety of the language is non-bicentric and follows a single standardized norm.
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Last updated: 2025/09/10 22:11