Source : WordNet®

metacentre
     n : (shipbuilding) the point of intersection between two
         vertical lines, one line through the center of buoyancy
         of the hull of a ship in equilibrium and the other line
         through the center of buoyancy of the hull when the ship
         is inclined to one side; the distance of this
         intersection above the center of gravity is an indication
         of the stability of the ship [syn: {metacenter}]