two-centered
|two-cent-ered|
🇺🇸
/ˌtuːˈsɛn.tɚd/
🇬🇧
/ˌtuːˈsɛn.təd/
having two centers
Etymology
'two-centered' is a compound formed from English 'two' and 'centered' (from 'center'). 'Two' ultimately goes back to Old English 'twā' (Proto-Germanic *twai), meaning '2'. 'Center' comes via Old French/Latin from Greek 'kentron', where 'kentron' meant 'sharp point' or 'spur' and in Latin became 'centrum' meaning 'point' or 'middle'. The adjective-forming suffix '-ed' creates 'centered'.
'two' derives from Old English 'twā' (Proto-Germanic *twai). 'Center' passed from Greek 'kentron' to Latin 'centrum' and Old French 'centre', then into Middle English as 'centre'/'center'. The modern compound 'two-centered' arose in modern English by combining 'two' + 'centered' to describe objects with two centres.
Originally the elements 'two' and 'center' referred to numeric '2' and the notion of a middle point respectively; combined, they developed the technical sense 'having two centres' used in geometry, architecture, and other technical contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having two centers; composed or structured around two focal points (used of shapes, curves, arches, mechanisms, etc.).
The masonry uses a two-centered arch common in Gothic architecture.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/10 20:25