‖ epicentrum
(ɛpɪˈsɛntrəm)
[mod.Lat., a. Gr. ἐπίκεντρον, neut. of ἐπίκεντρος adj., ‘situate upon a centre’, f. ἐπί upon + κέντρον centre.]
The point over the centre: applied in Seismology to the outbreaking point of earthquake shocks.
| 1879 Le Conte Elem. Geol. 100 The point of first emergence (epicentrum). 1887 Science (U.S.A.) 20 May 495/2 Along this line there are three points, each of which has all the characters of an epicentrum, determined by as many distinct shocks, each having a focus of its own. |