Centripetal
/ˌsɛn.trɪˈpiː.təl/noun
Moving or directed toward the center of a circle or curved path.
Did you know?Isaac Newton helped popularize the term in the 17th century when describing the inward-directed force governing curved motion and planetary orbits.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kent-
“To prick or pierce; the root associated with a sharp point or goad.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
kéntron
“A sharp point, goad, or prick; later, the central point of a circle.”
Classical Latin
Latin
centrum
“The center or middle point, borrowed from Greek.”
Classical Latin
Latin
petere
“To seek, aim at, make for, or attack.”
17th Century
New Latin
centripetus
“Directed toward the center; formed from centrum and petere.”
17th Century
English
centripetal
“Directed toward the center, especially in circular motion.”