'Nutation' definitions:
Definition of 'nutation'
(from WordNet)
noun
Uncontrolled nodding
Definition of 'Nutation'
From: GCIDE
- Nutation \Nu*ta"tion\, n. [L. nutatio a nodding, fr. nutare to nod: cf. F. nutation.]
- 1. The act of nodding. [1913 Webster]
- So from the midmost the nutation spreads, Round and more round, o'er all the sea of heads. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
- 2. (Astron.) A very small libratory motion of the earth's axis, by which its inclination to the plane of the ecliptic is constantly varying by a small amount. [1913 Webster]
- 3. (Bot.) (a) The motion of a flower in following the apparent movement of the sun, from the east in the morning to the west in the evening. (b) Circumnutation. [1913 Webster]