saltus

American  

[sal-tuhs, sawl-] / ˈsæl təs, ˈsɔl- /

noun

Mathematics.

plural

saltuses

1. oscillation.

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saltus British  

/ ˈsæltəs /

noun

1. a break in the continuity of a sequence, esp the omission of a necessary step in a logical argument

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Etymology

Origin of saltus

1655–65; < New Latin, Latin: a leap. See salt ²

Example Sentences

There is here, apparently, not only a step in development but a saltus mortalis, a dividing and impassable gulf.

From No Refuge but in Truth by Smith, Goldwin

And let us observe that Nature, though forbidden such style of progression by her savans, sometimes does make a local saltus, especially in the change of climates.

From To the Gold Coast for Gold A Personal Narrative in Two Volumes.—Volume I by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir

But Rice is an imitative form of Welsh Rhys, Reece, and Salt, when not derived from Salt in Stafford, is from Old Fr. sault, a wood, Lat. saltus.

From The Romance of Names by Weekley, Ernest

I see you are inclined to advocate the possibility of considerable "saltus" on the part of Dame Nature in her variations.

From Life and Letters of Thomas Henry Huxley — Volume 3 by Huxley, Leonard

Venerat in morem populi depascere saltus; 8 Idque diu licuit, poenaque nulla fuit.

From Helps to Latin Translation at Sight by Luce, Edmund