Centering is a noun and gerund from center (from Latin centrum, from Greek kentron, 'sharp point, center') + -ing. The historical trail runs through centrum in Latin and kentron in Ancient Greek. Morphologically, centering is transparent: a noun and gerund from center (from Latin centrum, from Greek kentron, 'sharp point, center') + -ing. Used as a noun and verb, centering now means "the act of placing at or moving toward the center; a temporary support for an arch", so the present definition can be read against the older forms and meanings. The same lexical family is also visible in related forms such as center, central, and centre. The result is a borrowed or transmitted form whose modern spelling carries a compact record of its route into English.