metacenter

noun

meta·​cen·​ter ˈme-tə-ˌsen-tər 

: the point of intersection of the vertical through the center of buoyancy of a floating body with the vertical through the new center of buoyancy when the body is displaced

Illustration of metacenter

• 1 center of gravity
• 2 center of buoyancy
• 3 new center of buoyancy when floating body is displaced
• 4 point of intersection

Word History

Etymology

French métacentre, from méta- meta- + centre center

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined above