An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Acting or moving in a direction away from the axis of rotation or the center of a circle along which a body is moving.

Etymology (EN): From Mod.L., coined 1687 by Sir Isaac Newton from L. centri-,
combining form of centrum, → center, + fugere “to run away, flee.”

Etymology (PE): Markaz-goriz, from markaz,
→ center, + goriz “running away,” from gorixtan, gorizidan “to run away,” Mid.Pers. virextan, proto-Iranian *vi-raik, from vi- “apart, asunder”

• *raik, Av. raek- “to leave, set free, let off,” Mid./Mod.Pers. reg/rig (in mordé-rig “inheritance,” Skt. ric- “to leave,” rinakti “gives up, evacuates,” Gk. leipein “to leave,” L. linquere “to leave,” from PIE *linkw-, from
  *leikw- “to leave behind” (cf. Goth. leihvan, O.E. lænan “to lend;” O.H.G. lihan “to borrow;” O.N. lan “loan”).