noncentral - Meaning, Image, Examples & Etymology - Learn English Visually

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noncentral

|non-cen-tral|

🇺🇸

/nɑnˈsɛntrəl/

🇬🇧

/nɒnˈsentrəl/

not at the center / not primary

Etymology

Etymology Information

'noncentral' originates from Modern English, specifically the prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non' meaning 'not') combined with 'central' (from Latin 'centrum' meaning 'center').

Historical Evolution

'central' derives from Latin 'centrum', passed into Old French and Middle English as 'central', and the negative prefix 'non-' was attached in Modern English to create 'noncentral'.

Meaning Changes

Initially it meant simply 'not central' (the straightforward negative of 'central'); over time it has been used both for literal spatial senses and for figurative senses meaning 'not of primary importance'.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Adjective 1

not located at or near the center of something; situated away from the center.

The noncentral neighborhoods of the city are quieter than the downtown area.

Synonyms

off-center outlying peripheral

Antonyms

central focal core

Adjective 2

not of primary importance; peripheral or secondary in relevance or priority.

We focused on the main topics first and left noncentral matters for later discussion.

Synonyms