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Where does the word "center" come from? It comes from Greek kentron, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "center" come from? It comes from Greek kentron, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Center’s story begins in Greek: kentron meant “sharp point.” Greek, the fixed point of a pair of compasses. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as centre. Came via Latin 'centrum'. It reached English by 1300s as center. American spelling 'center' followed Webster. Today, center means the middle point.
- Stage 1 · Greek · ancient kentron "sharp point", Greek, the fixed point of a pair of compasses.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval centre "centre", came via Latin 'centrum'.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s center "middle point", American spelling 'center' followed Webster.