English Explanatory Dictionary

nutation

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A bobbing motion that accompanies the precession of a spinning rigid body.
  2. A nodding motion (of the head etc.).
  3. Any of several irregularities in the precession of the equinoxes caused by varying torque applied to the Earth by the Sun and the Moon.
  4. The circular motion of the tip of a growing shoot.

Pronunciation

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-nutation.wav

Word forms

nutation nutations

Etymology

1610s, from Latin nūtātiō (“nodding”), from nūtō (“to nod”). Compare mutation.

Derived words

circumnutation nutational counternutation nutate revolving nutation
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