Wordsmith.org: the magic of words


A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact  


Home

Today's Word

Subscribe

Archives


Dec 23, 2014
This week’s theme
Words from science that have different senses in everyday use

This week’s words
optics
epicenter
quantum
theory
entropy

epicenter
Graphic: Wikimedia

Bookmark and Share Facebook Twitter Digg MySpace Bookmark and Share
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg

epicenter

PRONUNCIATION:
(EP-i-sen-tuhr)

MEANING:
noun:
1. The point on the earth’s surface directly above the focus of an earthquake.
2. The center or focal point of an activity or event, especially something unpleasant.

ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin epicentrum, from Greek epikentros, from epi- (upon) + kentron (needle, pivot point for drawing a circle). Earliest documented use: 1887.

USAGE:
“Itu, a commuter city outside Sao Paulo, is at the epicenter of the worst drought to hit southeastern Brazil in more than eight decades.”
Biggest Brazil City Desperate for Water in Drought; Associated Press (New York); Nov 6, 2014.

See more usage examples of epicenter in Vocabulary.com’s dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Every noon as the clock hands arrive at twelve, / I want to tie the two arms together, / And walk out of the bank carrying time in bags. -Robert Bly, poet (b. 1926)

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith