libration

[ lahy-brey-shuhn ]

/ laɪˈbreɪ ʃən /

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noun Astronomy.

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

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Origin of libration

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

OTHER WORDS FROM libration

li·bra·tion·al, adjective

Words nearby libration

library paste, library science, library steps, library table, librate, libration, libratory, librettist, libretto, Libreville, libri

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use libration in a sentence

For other worlds, we usually have to rely on other data: fluctuations in gravity, or the gentle rocking motion known as libration.
Saturn’s Death Star Look-Alike|Matthew R. Francis|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The authors of the new study used data from the Cassini probe orbiting Saturn to measure the libration of Mimas.
Saturn’s Death Star Look-Alike|Matthew R. Francis|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
However, both the Moon and Mimas experience libration wobbling slightly and bringing part of the “far side” into view.
Saturn’s Death Star Look-Alike|Matthew R. Francis|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To see how a global ocean could affect libration, take two bottles, fill one with sand and the other with water, then spin them.
Saturn’s Death Star Look-Alike|Matthew R. Francis|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST

But it is only an insignificant margin of the far side of the moon which this libration permits us to examine.
The Story of the Heavens|Robert Stawell Ball
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.
Studies in Logical Theory|John Dewey
Here the honourable luminary gave a sort of modest libration, which convulsed the meeting with laughter.
A Budget of Paradoxes, Volume I (of II)|Augustus De Morgan
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

the act or an instance of oscillating

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

Derived forms of libration

librational, adjective

Word Origin for libration

C17: from Latin librātus, from librāre to balance

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012