Emily Dickinson Lexicon

centre (-s), n. [Fr. < L. centr-um, center of rotation < Gk. κεντρον, sharp point, stationary point of a pair of compasses.]

1. Core; interior; inner domain; point of origin; [fig.] soul.
2. Essence; nucleus; [fig.] aspiration; goal; focus; ultimate point; main purpose.
3. The midst; the middle; the central point; farthest point away from home.
4. House; institution; habitation; [metonymy] city; village; market; town; community; gathering place; cluster of dwellings.