Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for saltation

saltation

[ sal-tey-shuhn ]

noun

  1. a dancing, hopping, or leaping movement.
  2. an abrupt movement or transition.
  3. Geology. intermittent, leaping movement of particles of sand or gravel, as from the force of wind or running water.
  4. Biology. a sudden, drastic genetic mutation or series of mutations occurring between one generation and the next, especially one that generates a new species.


saltation

/ sælˈteɪʃən /

noun

  1. biology an abrupt variation in the appearance of an organism, species, etc, usually caused by genetic mutation
  2. geology the leaping movement of sand or soil particles carried in water or by the wind
  3. a sudden abrupt movement or transition
“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

saltation

/ săl-tāshən,sôl- /

  1. A single mutation that drastically alters the phenotype.
Discover More

Other Words From

  • sal·ta·tion·al adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of saltation1

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin saltātiōn-, stem of saltātiō “a dancing,” from saltāt(us) (past participle of saltāre; saltant ) + -iō -ion
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of saltation1

C17: from Latin saltātiō a dance, from saltāre to leap about
Discover More

Example Sentences

A process called splash saltation, invokes a stream of falling particles that cause surface dust grains to be ejected from their original positions.

From BBC

Wind-induced saltation abrasion of the rocks in Yellowknife Bay appears to have been the mechanism responsible for erosion and exhumation of the ancient lake bed sampled by Curiosity.

Phœbe minor, however, executed gleeful saltations in honour of his arrival.

In the heat of noon, in the cool of the evening, day after day there was no rest for them, their saltation was without end.

Under the circumstances, Mr. Cashmere, while assuring everybody of his whole-hearted support, had a private reservation of judgment to be finally settled by the directional feline saltation.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement