nutation
nounEtymology 1610s, from Latin nūtātiō (“nodding”), from nūtō (“to nod”). Compare mutation.
1
Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Physics A bobbing motion that accompanies the precession of a spinning rigid body.
2
A nodding motion (of the head etc.).
3
Astronomy, Natural sciences Any of several irregularities in the precession of the equinoxes caused by varying torque applied to the Earth by the Sun and the Moon.
- Derived terms
- circumnutation, nutational, counternutation, nutate, revolving nutation