circumnutation

/ ˌsɜkəmnjuːˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. another name for nutation

Word History and Origins

Origin of circumnutation¹

C19: from circum- + -nutate, from Latin nūtāre to nod repeatedly, sway

Example Sentences

This I proved to be the case; and I was further led to a rather wide generalisation, viz., that the great and important classes of movements, excited by light, the attraction of gravity, &c., are all modified forms of the fundamental movement of circumnutation.

From Project Gutenberg

About the most important subject in my book, namely circumnutation, I can only say that I feel utterly bewildered at the difference in our conclusions; but I could not fully understand some parts which my son Francis will be able to translate to me when he returns home.

From Project Gutenberg

Circumnutation, sėr-kum-nū-tā′shun, n. a nodding or turning successively towards all points of the compass, as in the tendrils of plants.—v.i.

From Project Gutenberg

The changes of position of leaves and of climbing plants, and the sleep of leaves are all brought under this great principle of circumnutation.

From Project Gutenberg

The nature of the movement is thus a successive nodding to all the points of the compass, whence it is called by Darwin circumnutation.

From Project Gutenberg