off-centreoff-centerv.
/ɒfˈsɛntə/, U.S. /ˌɔfˈsɛn(t)ər/, /ˌɑfˈsɛn(t)ər/ transitive. To place or position off centre. Also intransitive: to move to a position off centre.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > misshapenness > put out of shape [verb (transitive)] > make asymmetrical or out of proportion > place off centre
off-centre1947
1947 E. E. Miller & D. B. McLaughlin in J. S. Hall Radar Aids to Navigation ix. 351 The off-center PPI is, unfortunately, rather badly distorted as soon as it is off-centered by more than one tube diameter.
1958 Proc. Inst. Electr. Engineers 105 B. Suppl. No. 8. 355/1 Few radars are capable of off-centring the display by any appreciable amount.
1973 N. Freedman Joshua 71 He off-centered the next shot, but that didn't phase Steve either.
1990 Salt Water Sportsman Dec. 58/3 It provides full eight-level quantization, off-centering to anywhere on the screen, zoom [etc.].
2000 Toronto Sun (Nexis) 30 Nov. t6 The rear has a large handle off-centered to the right.
Derivatives
off-ˈcentring n. displacement from a centre.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > removal or displacement > [noun] > (as) from a centre
uncentring1669
off-centring1947
1947 R. H. Müller in J. S. Hall Radar Aids to Navigation vii. 273 A point 70 miles from the radar site has been designated by the intersection of two straight lines. This appears on the scope, with an off-centering of about 1·5 radii.
1988 Sci. Amer. June 53/3 Such ‘off-centering’ of positively charged cations can give perovskite crystals electrical polarity: one end is positively charged and the other end is negatively charged.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
off-centreoff-centeradv.adj.
/ɒfˈsɛntə/, U.S. /ˌɔfˈsɛn(t)ər/, /ˌɑfˈsɛn(t)ər/ A. adv.
In or into a position not quite coinciding with the centre; away from the centre, askew. Hence figurative: off balance, awry.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > mental health > mental illness > degree or type of mental illness > [adverb] > eccentric or cranky
eccentrically1737
off-centre1876
dottily1937
wackily1961
kookily1968
the world > space > shape > misshapenness > [adverb] > asymmetrically > about centre
eccentrically1849–52
off-centre1960
1876 Rep. Comm. U.S. Internat. Exhib. Vienna 213 If the spindle is irregular in shape, or ground ‘off center,’ it will produce a fatal loss of symmetry in the work.
1883 C. Reade Love & Money iv. 51 Hope looks over his shoulder at certificate, then goes off centre.
1929 D. Hammett Dain Curse (1930) xii. 127 He had gone off center, was a dangerous maniac.
1960 Times 23 June 15/2 The need to write..cannot be assuaged without tugging the character of its victim a little off-centre.
1975 J. Wainwright Square Dance 196 The arrival of the Watfords had thrown little Thelma more than slightly off-centre.
1998 Ceramic Rev. Mar. 28/2 Roundish or other shapes are sometimes pushed off centre by heavy ribbing or combing.
B. adj.
Not quite in the centre; (figurative) not conforming to the expected or the norm; quirky, eccentric, odd.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > misshapenness > [adjective] > asymmetrical or misproportioned > about centre
eccentric1858
excentric1866
off-centre1930
off-centred1955
the world > health and disease > mental health > mental illness > degree or type of mental illness > [adjective] > slightly mad > eccentric or cranky
fantastical1531
odd1577
eccentric1685
fanaticized1827
cranky1850
bee-bonneted1856
cornery1887
screwy1887
kinky1889
crankish1892
ratty1895
batchy1898
batsc1901
batty1903
potty1920
offbeat1922
off-centre1930
wacky1935
screwball1936
up the creek1941
oddball1945
wackadoo1958
kooky1959
wiggy1963
flaky1964
nutball1968
woo-woo1971
wacko1977
off-kilter1985
wackadoodle1993
fantastic-
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > lack of truth, falsity > [adjective] > amiss, out of order
amissc1325
out of harrea1327
wronga1425
wide1545
misplaced1563
awrya1586
ajar1807
off the rails1848
agley1882
blooey1920
off-centre1930
off base1940
snafued1944
off target1954
off beam1958
1930 Amer. Home Jan. 28/2 The off-center arched doorway is ably balanced by the low wing on the other side.
1947 N.Y. Jrnl. American 18 Mar. 17/4 The off-center meatball has been endorsed by the chefs of the old world.
1956 M. W. Stearns Story of Jazz (1957) xix. 248 The traditional ‘off-center’ accents of the clavés, or wooden sticks, that make a penetrating hollow sound when struck together.
1971 Listener 25 Nov. 714/3 An out-of-date idea hung onto by slightly off-centre intellectuals.
1991 APWA Reporter Oct. 17/2 (advt.) Lid lifter fits round and rectangular lids..with center holes, off-center holes or side notches.
2001 Times 7 Mar. ii. 11/1 These two Northerners have a little in common, in their off-centre sense of humour.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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v.1947
adv.adj.1876