single-centred
|sin-gle-cent-red|
🇺🇸
/ˈsɪŋɡəl-ˈsɛn.tɚd/
🇬🇧
/ˈsɪŋɡ(ə)l-ˈsɛn.təd/
one centre / focused on one point
Etymology
'single-centred' originates from Modern English as a compound of 'single' + 'centre', where 'single' ultimately comes from Latin 'singulus' meaning 'one' and 'centre' comes from Latin 'centrum' meaning 'middle point'.
'single' entered English via Old French from Latin 'singulus'; 'centre' entered Middle English via Old French from Latin 'centrum'. The compound 'single-centred' developed in Modern English by combining these two elements to express the idea of 'one centre'.
Initially the elements meant 'one' and 'middle point' respectively; the compound originally described a literal 'having one centre' and later acquired figurative senses of being 'focused on a single concern'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having a single centre or focal point (literal).
The island is single-centred, with all roads leading to the central plaza.
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Adjective 2
focused on or organized around a single concern, person, or idea (figurative).
Her argument was single-centred on economic efficiency rather than social impact.
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Last updated: 2025/11/24 12:05