1640s, from French central or directly from Latin centralis "pertaining to a center," from centrum (see center (n.)). Centrally is attested perhaps as early as early 15c., which might imply a usage of central earlier than the attested date.
Slightly older is centric (1580s). As a U.S. colloquial noun for "central telephone exchange," first recorded 1889 (hence, "Hello, Central?"). Central processing unit attested from 1961. Central America is attested from 1826.
权威例句
1. The central heating's been turned off. I've turned it on again.
中央供暖系统已经关上。我又将它打开了。
2. Non-violence and patience are the central tenets of their faith.
非暴力和忍耐是他们的信仰的核心原则。
3. What drew him to the area was its proximity to central London.
吸引他到该地区的原因是那里靠近伦敦市中心。
4. Pope John Paul celebrated mass today in a city in central Poland.
教皇保罗二世今天在波兰中部的一个城市主持了弥撒。
5. Another change that Sue made was to install central heating.