An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Acting or moving toward a → center or → axis.
→ centripetal acceleration, → centripetal force.

Etymology (EN): From Mod.L., coined 1687 by Sir Isaac Newton from L. centri- combining form of centrum “center” + petere “to fall, rush out;” cf. Av. pat- " to fly, fall, rush," Skt. patati “he flies, falls,” Mid.Pers. patet “falls,” opastan “to fall,” Mod.Pers. oftâdan “to fall;” Gk. piptein “to fall,” petomai “I fly;” PIE base *pet- “to fly, to rush.”

Etymology (PE): Markaz-gerâ, from markaz, → center,

• gerâ “inclining,” from gerâyidan “to incline toward;” Mid.Pers. grâyitan, → diverge.