See Also: metacentre(dictionary)

metacentre (iou)



metacentre noun. Also *metacenter. L18.
[French metacentre, formed as META- + CENTRE noun.]
Physics & Shipbuilding. The point of intersection of a line drawn vertically through the centre of buoyancy of a floating body, esp. a ship, and a line drawn vertically through the new centre of buoyancy when it is tilted (which point must be above the centre of gravity if it is to return to an upright position). Also called shifting centre.