epicentre

Meaning

Noun

1. The point on the land or water surface directly above the focus, or hypocentre, of an earthquake.
2. The point on the surface of the earth directly above an underground explosion.
3. (figuratively, proscribed) The focal point of any activity, especially if dangerous or destructive.
4. (figuratively, proscribed) The geographical area in which an ongoing disaster, illness, crisis, or other destructive event is currently most severe.

Verb

Of an earthquake: to have its epicentre (at a specified location).

Synonyms

epicenter

epicentrum

epicenter

earthquake centre

earthquake center

focal point

Translations

épicentre

epicentro

επίκεντρο

Epizentrum

epicentro

epicentre

epicentro

Erdbebenzentrum

epicentrum

مَرْكَز

Ursprung

Hypozentrum

Erdbebenherd

deprem merkezi

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɛpɪˌsɛntɚ/

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.