libration

[ lahy-brey-shuhn ]

nounAstronomy.
  1. a real or apparent oscillatory motion, especially of the moon.

Origin of libration

1
1595–1605; <Latin lībrātiōn- (stem of lībrātiō) a balancing. See librate, -ion

Other words from libration

  • li·bra·tion·al, adjective

Words Nearby libration

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How to use libration in a sentence

  • One more astronomical discovery also he was to make—that of the moon's libration.

    Pioneers of Science | Oliver Lodge
  • Its rhythmic libration typified to him the principle of change in existence and of existence in change.

  • Here the honourable luminary gave a sort of modest libration, which convulsed the meeting with laughter.

  • At no time did Browning write verse which soars with a more steadfast and impassioned libration of wing.

    Robert Browning | Edward Dowden

British Dictionary definitions for libration

libration

/ (laɪˈbreɪʃən) /


noun
  1. the act or an instance of oscillating

  2. a real or apparent oscillation of the moon enabling approximately 59 per cent of the surface to be visible from the earth over a period of time

Origin of libration

1
C17: from Latin librātus, from librāre to balance

Derived forms of libration

  • librational, adjective

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