epicenter

[ep-uh-sen-ter] /ˈɛp əˌsɛn tər/

noun

Also, epicentrum. Geology. a point, directly above the true center of disturbance, from which the shock waves of an earthquake apparently radiate.

a focal point, as of activity:

Manhattan's Chinatown is the epicenter of the city's Chinese community.

Also, especially British, epicentre.

Origin

1885-90; < Neo-Latin epicentrum < Greek epíkentros on the center. See epi-, center

Related forms

epicentral, adjective

Examples from the web for epicentre

Now there are hints of pleasure at the idea that the epicentre of bullishness may be humbled.

British Dictionary definitions for epicentre

epicentre

/ˈɛpɪˌsɛntə/

noun

the point on the earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake or underground nuclear explosion Compare focus (sense 6)

(informal) the absolute centre of something: the epicentre of world sprinting

Derived Forms

epicentral, adjective

Word Origin

C19: from New Latin epicentrum, from Greek epikentros over the centre, from epi- + kentron needle; see centre

Word Origin and History for epicentre

chiefly British English spelling of epicenter; for spelling, see -re.

epicenter

1887, from Modern Latin epicentrum (1879 in geological use); see epi- + center. Related: Epicentral (1866).

epicentre in Science

epicenter

(ěp'ĭ-sěn'tər)
The point on the Earth's surface that is directly above the focus (the point of origin) of an earthquake. The epicenter is usually the location where the greatest damage associated with an earthquake occurs. See Note at earthquake.