centrifugal
UK: senˈtrɪfjʊɡəl | US: senˈtrɪfjəɡəl
adj. moving or tending to move away from a center
adj. operating by means of centrifugal force
adj. (figuratively) diverging from a central focus or point
The word "centrifugal" originates from Latin centrum (center) + fugere (to flee). The morpheme centri- preserves the idea of a central point, while -fugal (from fugere) implies motion away from that center. The suffix -al turns it into an adjective. Historically, the term was coined in the 18th century to describe forces in physics, but its figurative use (e.g., "centrifugal tendencies in society") emerged later, retaining the core logic of outward movement.
The centrifugal force of the spinning wheel threw water droplets outward.
In politics, centrifugal pressures can lead to the fragmentation of a nation.
The machine uses centrifugal motion to separate solids from liquids.
Her artistic style is centrifugal, branching into diverse influences.
Engineers accounted for centrifugal effects when designing the rotor.