The Collaborative International Dictionary
Metacenter \Met`a*cen"ter\or Metacentre \Met`a*cen"tre\, n. [Pref. meta- + center.] (Hydrostatics) The point of intersection of a vertical line through the center of gravity of the fluid displaced by a floating body which is tipped through a small angle from its position of equilibrium, and the inclined line which was vertical through the center of gravity of the body when in equilibrium.
Note: When the metacenter is above the center of gravity, the position of the body is stable; when below it, unstable.
Wiktionary
n. (alternative spelling of metacentre from=US English)
WordNet
n. (shipbuilding) the point of intersection between two vertical lines, one line through the center of buoyancy of the hull of a ship in equilibrium and the other line through the center of buoyancy of the hull when the ship is inclined to one side; the distance of this intersection above the center of gravity is an indication of the stability of the ship [syn: metacentre]
Usage examples of "metacenter".
These initial difficulties would be quickly overcome by designers who, even if they were forced to work with Stone Age tools, could handle with ease the mathematics of metacenters, buoyancies, and advanced hydrodynamics.