self-ˈcentring, ppl. a. (and vbl. n.)
† 1. [self- 3 a.] = self-centred 1, 2. Obs.
| 1693 Norris Pract. Disc. IV. 186 The Self-Ending, Self-Centring Man does in a very true..Sense Idolize himself. 1701 ― Ideal World i. vi. 398 Truth being of the Divine essence..is really a ground and foundation to itself, even as that self-centring essence is. 1809–10 Coleridge Friend (1865) 217 They pursue the interests of freedom steadily, but with narrow and self-centring views. |
2. Mech. [self- 4.] a. Applied to chucks, etc., which hold the object in a central position without the necessity of tentative adjustments.
| 1884 F. J. Britten Watch & Clockm. 237 These self-centring chucks. 1908 Westm. Gaz. 17 Nov. 5/2 The clutch is of the self-centring type. |
b. Of the steering of a motor vehicle: tending to return automatically to a central alignment. Also as vbl. n.
| 1926 H. T. Rutter Mod. Motors II. ix. 331 The steering gear is arranged to be self-centring, so that little pressure is required to maintain the car in a straight line. 1963 Times 5 Feb. 7/5 At first, the powerful self-centring action of the steering makes the car feel heavy and slightly unstable. 1975 Drive New Year 102/3 The tail certainly wags the Beetle, especially in the wet when even the responsive, self-centring steering won't help to avoid trouble. 1977 Times 18 Aug. 23/3 The main criticisms of steering were..stiffness of operation, and lack of self⁓centring. |