Definitions for metacenterˈmɛt əˌsɛn tər
Random House Webster's College Dictionary
met•a•cen•terˈmɛt əˌsɛn tər(n.)
the intersection between two vertical lines, one through the center of buoyancy of a hull in equilibrium, the other through the center of buoyancy when the hull is inclined slightly to one side or toward one end.
Category: Nautical
Origin of metacenter:
1785–95; < F métacentre
Princeton's WordNet
metacenter, metacentre(noun)
(shipbuilding) the point of intersection between two vertical lines, one line through the center of buoyancy of the hull of a ship in equilibrium and the other line through the center of buoyancy of the hull when the ship is inclined to one side; the distance of this intersection above the center of gravity is an indication of the stability of the ship
Wiktionary
metacenter(Noun)
A midway point between a ship's centre of buoyancy when upright and its centre of buoyancy when tilted; it must be above the centre of gravity to enable a tilting ship to return to an upright position.
Origin: From métacentre, from méta- + centre.
Webster Dictionary
Metacenter(noun)
alt. of -tre
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