saltation

American  

[sal-tey-shuhn] / sælˈteɪ ʃən /

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.

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saltation British  

/ 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

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saltation Scientific  

/ săl-tā′shən,sôl- /

1. A single mutation that drastically alters the phenotype.

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Other Word Forms

• saltational adjective

Etymology

Origin of saltation

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

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.

From Science Magazine

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

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bounce
• dive
• drop
• fall
• hurdle
• plunge
• rise
• upsurge
• vault