noun

epicentre

epicenter, center, focal point

The epicentre of the earthquake was near the coast.

The epicenter of the earthquake was near the coast.

The city was the epicentre of the crisis.

The city was the epicenter of the crisis.

((as a noun)) the point on the earth's surface directly above an earthquake. The epicentre of the earthquake was near the coast.

((the epicentre of sth.)) the central point of a situation. The city was the epicentre of the crisis.

Synonyms: focal point, hub, heart.

From Greek 'epi-' (upon, on) + 'kentron' (center). Literally 'upon the center'.

The 'epi-' part is 'upon' the 'center' of the earthquake's focus. This is the British English spelling; the US spelling is 'epicenter'.

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