rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycentralPrimary importance
adjective / noun

central

SEN-trul/ˈsentrəl/

Situated at the middle or main focus.

The wheel's central hub joins the spokes at the middle.

A central hub joins several spokes, emphasizing the key middle component.
Etymology
centrLatincenter
+alLatinpertaining to

Centrum originally referred to the fixed point of a drafting compass, marking a circle’s middle. The idea of a center also extends to a focal point of power or importance.

In context

SOAS University of London62:15
one of the central figures in this novel is um uh the goddess of the lake and we see how the goddess of the lake is very important
SOAS Africa Conference 2017 ‘New visions, new images, new stories’, SOAS University of London

More examples

  • Trust is central to their working relationship.
  • The hotel occupies a central location.
  • The dispatcher sends the message through central.

Similar words

principal
Emphasizes chief importance rather than physical location.
middle
Identifies position without necessarily authority or significance.