Dead center

adj, adv, noun

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Alternative form of dead-center. US, alt-of, alternative, not-comparable

    "Dead center on its back was the design of a large, blue eye that somehow looked familiar."

Adverb
  1. 1
    Alternative form of dead-center. US, alt-of, alternative, not-comparable

    "Now, the Ouija board sat dead center."

Noun
  1. 1
    Synonym of dead point: the position at which a crank is in a direct line with a connecting rod. US
  2. 2
    the position of a crank when it is in line with the connecting rod and not exerting torque wordnet
  3. 3
    A nonrevolving center in a lathe. US
  4. 4
    The exact center. US, idiomatic

Etymology

Etymology 1

The sense referring to a piston position was originally a variant of earlier dead-point. The adjective carries two of its senses at once in this construction: both "exact" and "without force imparted". As the piston passes through dead center, there is an instant when it is neither being pushed nor being pulled.

Etymology 2

The sense referring to a piston position was originally a variant of earlier dead-point. The adjective carries two of its senses at once in this construction: both "exact" and "without force imparted". As the piston passes through dead center, there is an instant when it is neither being pushed nor being pulled.

Etymology 3

The sense referring to a piston position was originally a variant of earlier dead-point. The adjective carries two of its senses at once in this construction: both "exact" and "without force imparted". As the piston passes through dead center, there is an instant when it is neither being pushed nor being pulled.

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