Where does “centerline” come from?

Centerline derives from English line and English lind, from Latin centrum, from Ancient Greek κέντρον, from Ancient Greek κεντεῖν meaning to prick or goad, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European līno-.

centerline (English): A line through the center that divides a shape...

Definitions

  1. A line through the center that divides a shape...

Ancestry of “centerline”, step by step

centerline traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English line

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishlineA path through two or more points (compare ‘segment’); a continuous mark, including as made by a pen; any path, curved or straight
2Middle Englishlinerope, cord; line, rule, ruler, measure; rule,...
3Old Englishlīneline, rope, cord; line, cable, rope, hawser,...
4Proto-West Germanic*līnāline, chord, rope, string
5Proto-Germaniclīnǭthat which is made of flax; line, chord, rope,...
6Proto-Germaniclīnąflax
7Proto-Indo-Europeanlīno-flax

via English Center

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishCenterThe point in the interior of a circle that is equidistant from all points on the circumference
2Middle Englishcenter
3Middle Frenchcentre
4Latincentrumcenter
5Ancient GreekκέντρονSomething with a sharp point: point, spike, spur;...
6Proto-Hellenic*kéntron
7Proto-Indo-European*ḱéntrompointed tool
Every word from Proto-Indo-European līno-