centrelinecenterlinen.
/ˈsɛntəlʌɪn/, U.S. /ˈsɛn(t)ərˌlaɪn/ 1.
a. A real or imaginary line through the centre of something, esp. one following an axis of symmetry.Often used as a basis for measurements; cf. quot. 1887.
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the world > space > relative position > central condition or position > [noun] > central line, plane, or point
midpointc1450
centreline1590
plane of symmetry1823
1590 J. Blagrave Baculum Familliare iii. 8 Within the hollownesse of this legge [of the staffe] are two channelles made in the vpper and lower sides parrallell, to their fiduciall or centre lines.
1658 J. Collins Sector on Quadrant 5 The distance between this Point [sc. the Zenith Point] and the Point where the Center Line of the Azimuths intersects the Meridian, make the Radius of a Tangent.
1727 R. Furber Catal. Eng. & Foreign Trees Pref. I have placed a Row of Ever-greens in the Centre-Line.
1761 J. Kirby Descr. & Use Architectonic Sector iii. 28 From this number so discovered we set off all the flutes from the center line of the column each way.
1827 J. Farey Treat. Steam Engine i. viii. 597 A vertical straight line, corresponding with the centre line of the piston rod.
1887 D. A. Low Introd. Machine Drawing 2 After drawing the centre line of any part the dimensions of that part must be marked off from the centre line.
1917 J. Fales Dressmaking v. 188 The sleeve should be laid on a table and folded along its centre line.
1980 T. Monroe How to rebuild Ford Engines v. 53/2 When measuring a bore, measure it parallel to the centerline of the engine.
2002 Woodworker Aug. 84/1 The Paraguayan harp, where the string arm is made in two pieces, and the strings pass between them, down the centreline of the instrument.
b. spec.
(a) Nautical and Shipbuilding. An imaginary line running lengthways along the middle of a vessel from bow to stern, dividing the port and starboard sides.
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society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > shipbuilding and repairing > [noun] > shipbuilding > lines, sections, or elevations
middle line?c1400
sweep1627
lines1680
touch1711
waterline1750
station1754
sheer-draught1769
body plan1781
sheer-line1797
sheer-plan1797
touchline1797
water plane1798
centreline1806
buttock line1816
crown1830
scrieve1830
top-breadth line1846
wave-line1846
floor-plan1867
1806 R. Newman Brit. Patent 2965 (1856) 2 An apparatus or helm containing two rudders, formed and worked in the direction of the sides, in lieu of one placed in the centre line of the vessel.
1884 J. C. Spence Stability of Ships 6 The centre of buoyancy will be in the centre line of ship when it is upright.
1906 Fort Wayne (Indiana) News 21 Mar. 1/4 The twelve-inch guns are to be placed along the center line of the ship.
1967 Jane's Surface Skimmer Syst. 1967–8 90/2 A companion ladder at the centreline leads to the main deck foyer.
2004 D. Tremayne D. Campbell (2005) iv. 75 The boat had been halved longitudinally along its centreline.
(b) In football, hockey, basketball, etc.: the line midway between the two ends of a pitch, field, or court.
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society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > characteristics of team ball games > [noun] > parts of playing area
outfield1851
goal line1862
centreline1863
goalside1865
territory1867
goalmouth1871
box1881
half1888
goal area1902
penalty area1905
orchard1913
penalty box1914
area1925
D1927
keyhole1936
penalty spot1937
six-yard box1954
1863 Cassell's Illustr. Family Paper 23 Jan. 14/1 Their captain, standing near the centre line, commences by throwing the ball in the air.
1880 Our Boys' Paper 18 Nov. 14/3 The players who..oftenest touch the ball beyond the touch lines on their opponent's side of the centre line, win the game.
1917 P. H. Davis Football x. 152 Both teams play stubbornly, the ball surging back and forth across the centre line.
1997 Guardian (Nexis) 19 Apr. 10 Doug McEwen gathered the puck near the centre line and raced away to score a spectacular unassisted goal.
2006 J. Wooden & S. Nater UCLA Offense ix. 113 The ball..must be advanced past the centerline in 10 seconds.
(c) Tennis and Badminton. Usually as two words. The line running lengthways down the middle of the court from one service line to the other.Also known as the centre service line.
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society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > racket games > lawn tennis > [noun] > court > parts of
baseline1875
centreline1882
runback1891
alley1904
cover1907
no man's land1931
tramline1937
ad court1946
1882 Cent. Mag. Feb. 628/1 Twenty-one feet from the net, draw the ‘service lines’, N O and P Q. Then draw the center line, I J, and the court is complete.
?1884 Young Ladies' Treasure Bk. lvi. 556 If he stands on the right of the centre line, he must serve into the left-hand court.
1920 Amer. Lawn Tennis 15 Sept. 451/1 A clean ace down the center line..brought Tilden again within a point of the title.
1969 E. Brown Badminton x. 105 Generally when the man is serving in good quality badminton the lady stands in front of her partner and a little to the left of the centre line.
2002 Birmingham Post (Nexis) 9 Feb. (Sport section) 29 His next first serve fizzed unplayably down the centre line.
(d) A (typically white) painted line running down the middle of a road, demarcating the lanes for traffic travelling in opposite directions.
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society > leisure > sport > place for sports or games > [noun] > line
line1550
trig1648
sideline1862
touchline1863
foul line1870
backline1890
trigger1891
centreline1920
by-line1936
stripe1967
1920 Munic. & County Engin. 59 94/2 The writer painted white 8 in. center lines upon the black surface of the road upon the more dangerous curves.
1952 E. L. Leeming Road Engin. (ed. 3) v. 55 In the case of two-way roads white centre lines..make for greater road safety where vision is limited.
1989 J. Galloway Trick is to keep Breathing (1991) 55 We went home, weaving down the centreline on the road back.
2015 Press (Christchurch, N.Z.) (Nexis) 7 Mar. 8 Another car..crossed the centreline and hit a hatchback near Queenstown.
2. Military. Usually as two words. The main or middle part of a body of troops; (also) the middle division of a fleet; = centre n.1 11a. Now historical.
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society > armed hostility > armed forces > the Army > part of army by position > [noun] > main body or middle
stalec1350
chivalry1382
rangale?a1400
middlewardc1440
battle1489
main battle1569
main-ward1570
centre1590
camp-royal1593
main body1595
grossc1600
battalia1613
battalion1653
centreline1774
1774 D. Graham Impartial Hist. Rebellion (ed. 3) ix. 88 The Duke's cannon so conceal'd, They thought he'd got none on that field, In the centre-line he did them screen, That they all could not be seen.
1804 Mil. Mentor II. xxxvi. 87 The front line is generally about 300 feet from the centre line; and the centre line as much from the rear.
1866 J. F. Loubat Narr. Mission to Russia 1866 G. V. Fox (1873) 79 The Augusta and the Miantono-moh, still forming the centre line, were a little in advance of the Russian ships.
1899 D. G. Macnamara Hist. 9th Regiment, Mass. Volunteer Infantry vii. 126 This desperate state of affairs on both flanks threw the centre line into confusion thus bringing on a general retreat.
1979 P. H. Bergeron Paths of Past iii. 59 He elected to push the center line to Bowling Green, Kentucky, some sixty miles northeast of Nashville.
2002 K. DeVries in K. Eisenbichler Premod. Teenager xi. 216 All troops were to fight on foot... Even the Black Prince, who was placed in command of the centre line, was dismounted.
3. Australian Rules Football. The centre and the two wings, considered collectively. Sometimes with plural agreement. Cf. centre n.1 17b.
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society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > Australian football > [noun] > players or positions
goalkicker1871
full forward1880
rover1887
ruck1889
position player1900
centreline1911
1911 Register (Adelaide) 14 Aug. 10/2 I think our centre line held their own, but they had the best of the ruck.
1969 Australian 24 May 39/3 There is not likely to be a great deal in the centreline duels.
2013 Advocate (Burnie, Austral.) (Nexis) 30 Aug. A formidable centreline that includes the in-form Pat Wadley, coach Brett Jarman and running half-back Robert Shaw.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2016; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1590