brachiation

American  

[brey-kee-ey-shuhn, brak-ee-] / ˌbreɪ kiˈeɪ ʃən, ˌbræk i- /

noun

Zoology.

1. locomotion accomplished by swinging by the arms from one hold to another.

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brachiation Scientific  

/ brā′kē-ā′shən,brăk′ē- /

1. Movement in which the suspended body swings by the arms from one hold to another, as in gibbons and arboreal primates. Adaptations used in brachiation, such as relatively long arms and a freely rotating shoulder joint, may have contributed to the development of bipedalism in protohumans.

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Etymology

Origin of brachiation

brachiate + -ion

Example Sentences

This arboreal heritage of primates has resulted in hands and feet that are adapted for brachiation, or climbing and swinging through trees.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

This arboreal heritage of primates resulted in hands and feet that are adapted for brachiation, or climbing and swinging through trees.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

Even I had never learned to navigate one of these swing-bridges without assistance; human arms are no longer suited to brachiation.

From The Planet Savers by Bradley, Marion Zimmer