metacenter

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met·a·cen·ter / ˈmetəˌsentər/ • n. the point of intersection between a vertical line through the center of buoyancy of a floating body such as a ship and a vertical line through the new center of buoyancy when the body is tilted, which must be above the center of gravity to ensure stability.DERIVATIVES: met·a·cen·tric / ˌmetəˈsentrik/ adj.