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What is the etymology of the word "center" as used in abstract algebra, e.g. the center of a group, or of an algebra?

My best guess is that it might've come from matrix algebras, where often the center just consists of (scalar) diagonal matrices, whose nonzero coefficients appear in the "center" of the matrix.

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    May I be so bold and add the question where the word "trace" comes from? As trade-off, I might note that the word "ring" in it's german origin is not referring to a round ring, like one you wear on your finger, but it has also the meaning of a *union*, so it's similar to a group. For example "Verbrecherring" is a community or *circle* of organized crime.2012-02-13
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    I have shared this question at G+. Let's hope we get a good answer :)2012-02-13
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    For "trace", see http://jeff560.tripod.com/t.html2012-02-13
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    Also for "ring", http://jeff560.tripod.com/r.html2012-02-13
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    Geez,where's John Stillwell when we need him-this question is really in his wheelhouse..........2012-02-13

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