nutation (redirected from nutational)

nu·ta·tion  (n-tshn, ny-)

n.

1. The act or an instance of nodding the head.

2. A wobble in a spinning gyroscope or other rotating body.

3. Astronomy A small periodic motion of the celestial pole of the earth with respect to the pole of the ecliptic.

4. Botany A slight curving or circular movement in a stem, as of a twining plant, caused by irregular growth rates of different parts.

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[Latin ntti, nttin-, from nttus, past participle of ntre, frequentative of -nuere, to nod.]

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nu·tation·al adj.

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nutation [njuːˈteɪʃən]

n

1. (Astronomy) Astronomy a periodic variation in the precession of the earth's axis causing the earth's poles to oscillate about their mean position

2. (Physics / General Physics) Physics a periodic variation in the uniform precession of the axis of any spinning body, such as a gyroscope, about the horizontal

3. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Botany) Also called circumnutation the spiral growth of a shoot, tendril, or similar plant organ, caused by variation in the growth rate in different parts

4. the act or an instance of nodding the head

[from Latin nutātiō, from nūtāre to nod]

nutational  adj

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nutation  (n-tshn)

1. A small, cyclic variation of the Earth's axis of rotation with a period of 18.6 years, caused by tidal forces (mostly due to the gravity of the Moon). Nutation is a small and relatively rapid oscillation of the axis superimposed on the larger and much slower oscillation known as precession. Although discovered in 1728 by the British astronomer James Bradley (1693-1762), nutation was not explained until two decades later.

2. A slight curving or circular movement in a stem, as of a twining plant, caused by irregular growth rates of different parts.

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nutation

the periodic oscillation that can be observed in the precession of the earth’s axis and the precession of the equinoxes. See also head. — nutational, adj.

See also: Earth

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the periodic oscillation that can be observed in the precession of the earth’s axis and the precession of the equinoxes. See also 133. EARTH. — nutational, adj.

See also: Astronomy

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

nutation - uncontrolled nodding nod - the act of nodding the head