I. in Ep., a savage race, dwelling between Pelion and Ossa, Il.11.832, Od.21.295 sq. (opp. ἄνδρες, ib.303), Hes.Sc.184, h.Merc.224 (perh. in signf. 11), Batr.171: hence, brigands, Hsch.
II. later, monsters of double shape, half-man and half-horse, Pi.P.2.44, etc., cf. Arist. Insomn.461b20, D.S.4.69: prov., οὐ παρὰ Κενταύροισι 'we don't live in fairyland', Telecl.45.
III. the constellation Centaurus, Eudox. ap.Hipparch.1.2.20.
IV. = παιδεραστής, from the brutal sensuality ascribed to the Centaurs, Hsch.
2. the pudenda, Theopomp.Com.89.