epicentre

Meanings

1. The point on the land or water surface directly above the focus, or hypocentre, of an earthquake.
2. The point on the surface of the earth directly above an underground explosion.
3. The focal point of any activity, especially if dangerous or destructive.
4. The geographical area in which an ongoing disaster, illness, crisis, or other destructive event is currently most severe.

1. Of an earthquake: to have its epicentre (at a specified location).

Etymology

From epi- (“over, on top”) + centre, from Ancient Greek ἐπί (epí, “on”) + κέντρον (kéntron, “centre”). Sense of “center of an activity (particularly a disaster)” (1908) by generalization from earthquakes, possibly influenced by epidemic.