centripetal (adj.)

"tending or moving toward a center," 1709, from Modern Latin, coined 1687 by Sir Isaac Newton (who wrote in Latin), from Latin centri-, alternative combining form of centrum "center" (see center (n.)) + petere "to make for, go to; seek, strive after" (from PIE root *pet- "to rush, to fly"). Centripetal force is Newton's vim ... centripetam.