epicentre en · NOUN
Pronunciation
Etymology
From epi- (“over, on top”) + centre, from Ancient Greek ἐπί (epí, “on”) + κέντρον (kéntron, “centre”). Sense of “center of an activity (particularly a disaster)” (1908) by generalization from earthquakes, possibly influenced by epidemic.
Meanings
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The point on the land or water surface directly above the focus, or hypocentre, of an earthquake.
The epicentre isn't always the point of heaviest damage. Faults can be many kilometres long and seismic waves shake areas all along the fault.
2008, Michael Woods, Mary B. Woods, Earthquakes, Lerner Books, →ISBN, page 18:
- The point on the surface of the earth directly above an underground explosion.
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(figuratively, proscribed) The focal point of any activity, especially if dangerous or destructive.
Eleven months after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion, Bakhmut and surrounding areas have become an epicenter of fighting, their importance growing as both sides have added forces to the battle.
2023 January 31, Matthew Mpoke Bigg, “Russia-Ukraine War: Russia Pours Fighters Into Battle for Bakhmut”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 19 Mar 2023:
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(figuratively, proscribed) The geographical area in which an ongoing disaster, illness, crisis, or other destructive event is currently most severe.
Yan Cheng had cerebral palsy and died on January 29 while in the care of officials in Huajiahe township, Hongan county, more than 100 kilometres (62 miles) from Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak.
2020 February 6, Laurie Chen, “Communist officials fired after disabled Chinese boy died when relatives were put in coronavirus quarantine”, in South China Morning Post, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 06 Feb 2020, Society:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| epicentres | Number=Plur | lexicographic | |
| epicenter | US, alternative | lexicographic |
Antonyms
Deriveds
Relateds
Synonyms
Translations (70)
cy uwchganolbwynt (focal point of activity) · th ศูนย์กลาง (point above earthquake) · ko 진앙 (point above earthquake) · gl epicentro (point above earthquake) · nds epizentrum (point above earthquake) · ja 震源地 (point above earthquake) · el επίκεντρο (focal point of activity) · cmn 震央 (point above earthquake) · cs epicentrum (point above earthquake) · fr épicentre (focal point of activity) · sh епицентар (point above earthquake) · pl epicentrum (focal point of activity) · ga airmheán (focal point of activity) · fi episentri (point above earthquake) · ar مَرْكَز اَلزِّلْزَال (point above earthquake) · bg епице́нтър (point above earthquake) · ja 震源 (point above earthquake) · ga croí (focal point of activity) · da epicenter (point above earthquake) · lv epicentrs (focal point of activity) · pt epicentro (point above earthquake) · be эпіцэ́нтр (point above earthquake) · cmn 震中 (point above earthquake) · hi उपरिकेंद्र (point above earthquake) · el επίκεντρο (point above earthquake) · tr deprem ortası (point above earthquake) · sl epicenter (point above earthquake) · lt epicentras (point above earthquake) · id episentrum (point above earthquake) · hy էպիկենտրոն (focal point of activity) · pl epicentrum (point above earthquake) · ga eipealár (point above earthquake) · fi keskipiste (focal point of activity) · ga croílár (focal point of activity) · nl epicentrum (point above earthquake) · hi केंद्र (focal point of activity) · ar مَرْكَز (point above earthquake) · om epicenter (point above earthquake) · id episenter (point above earthquake) · cy uwchganolbwynt (point above earthquake) · uk епіце́нтр (point above earthquake) · fr épicentre (point above earthquake) · et epitsenter (point above earthquake) · fi episentrumi (point above earthquake) · eo surcentro (point above earthquake) · vi tâm chấn (point above earthquake) · es epicentro (point above earthquake) · is skjálftamiðja (point above earthquake) · it epicentro (point above earthquake) · lv epicentrs (point above earthquake) · de Epizentrum (point above earthquake) · no episenter (point above earthquake) · sh epicentar (point above earthquake) · vi chấn tâm (point above earthquake) · cmn 震中心 (point above earthquake) · ga ceartlár (focal point of activity) · ru эпице́нтр (point above earthquake) · ca epicentre (point above earthquake) · af episentrum (point above earthquake) · hy էպիկենտրոն (point above earthquake) · ar بُؤْرَة (focal point of activity) · ms epipusat (point above earthquake) · sv epicentrum (point above earthquake) · ast epicentru (point above earthquake) · ms pusat gempa (point above earthquake) · hu epicentrum (point above earthquake) · ja 震源地 (focal point of activity) · br epikreizenn (point above earthquake) · sk epicentrum (point above earthquake) · ja 震央 (point above earthquake)