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Meaning & use

centesimal

adjective, noun·Advancedtechnicalformal

Last updated

UK/senˈtesɪməl/
US/senˈtesɪməl/

Meanings

  1. adjectivebefore a nountechnical

    Relating to division into a hundred equal parts or to hundredths.

    Grammar: Used before a noun: a centesimal scale, centesimal divisions.

    Patterns

    • centesimal scale
    • centesimal division
    • centesimal part

    The old thermometer used a centesimal scale, with the freezing point at zero and the boiling point at one hundred.

    In a centesimal system, each unit is split into one hundred smaller units.

    The surveyor recorded the angles in centesimal degrees rather than the more familiar sexagesimal ones.

  2. nouncountabletechnicalrare

    One of a hundred equal parts of a whole; a hundredth.

    Grammar: Countable; usually plural when talking about parts of a whole: the centesimals add up to one.

    Patterns

    • a centesimal of something
    • the centesimals of a whole

    Each centesimal of the total represents one percent.

    The chart breaks the budget down into centesimals for detailed analysis.

Common combinations

centesimal scale
The metric system is based on a centesimal scale for many measurements.
centesimal division
The ruler had centesimal divisions, marking every hundredth of a meter.
centesimal system
Some scientific fields still use a centesimal system for angles.
centesimal part
A centesimal part of the sample was tested separately.

Synonyms and how they differ

hundredth
More common and general; use 'hundredth' for everyday speech, while 'centesimal' is technical and formal.
decimal
Relates to powers of ten, not specifically hundredths; 'decimal' is broader and more common.

Word family

centesimally adverb
In a centesimal manner; rarely used.
cent noun
A monetary unit equal to one hundredth of a dollar in some countries.
centimeter noun
A unit of length equal to one hundredth of a meter.

Commonly confused: centesimal or centennial? centesimal or sesquicentennial?

centesimal vs centennial

Centennial means happening every hundred years or a hundredth anniversary; centesimal is about division into hundredths.

centesimal vs sesquicentennial

Sesquicentennial relates to a 150th anniversary, not hundredths.

Practice

The engineer measured the angle using a ______ scale, where a full circle is divided into 400 degrees.

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