central
Meaning
In or near the centre; most important
Having power or control over other parts
Structure
Usage
The hotel is in a central location, close to all the major attractions.
The government played a central role in negotiating the peace treaty.
The issue of funding is central to the success of the project.
Etymology
The word 'central' is built upon the core concept of a centre, a point from which other things are measured or organized. Its first element, 'centr-', originates from the Greek kéntron, meaning a sharp point or the fixed point of a drawing compass, which passed into Latin as centrum. The suffix '-al', of Latin origin, is a prolific adjective-forming element that attaches to nouns to signify a relationship or pertaining to. Thus, the literal construction "of or relating to the centre" logically evolved to describe not just physical position but also importance and controlling influence, as the centre is conceptually the most vital or governing part of a system.
Analysis
centr (from Latin centrum, meaning "centre point", from Greek kéntron, "sharp point, stationary point of a compass"); al (from Latin adjectival suffix -ālis, denoting "of, relating to, or characterized by").