Focuses attention or effort on a particular task or subject. Also refers to substances from which water or other diluting agents have been removed, making them more potent.
From Latin 'con-' (together) + 'centrum' (center), literally meaning 'to bring to a center.' The verb form developed in the 18th century, while the noun form (concentrated substance) appeared in the 19th century.
The dual meaning of concentrate - both mental focus and chemical concentration - reflects the same underlying principle of bringing elements together in one place. Orange juice concentrate removes water to create a more compact, potent form, just as mental concentration gathers scattered attention into focused thought.
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