Uncontrolled nodding

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia
Nutation (from Latin nūtātiō , "nodding, swaying") is a rocking, swaying, or nodding motion in the axis of rotation of a largely axially symmetric object, such as a gyroscope , planet , or bullet in flight , or as an intended behavior of a mechanism. In ...

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. uncontrolled nodding

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. 1 (context physics English) a bobbing motion that accompanies the precession of a spinning rigid body 2 a nodding motion (of the head etc.) 3 (context astronomy English) any of several irregularities in the precession of the equinoxes caused by varying ...

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Nutation \Nu*ta"tion\, n. [L. nutatio a nodding, fr. nutare to nod: cf. F. nutation.] The act of nodding. So from the midmost the nutation spreads, Round and more round, o'er all the sea of heads. --Pope. (Astron.) A very small libratory motion of ...

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1610s, "action of nodding," from Latin nutationem (nominative nutatio ), noun of action from past participle stem of nutare "to nod," from PIE *neu- "to nod" (see numinous ). Astronomical use is from 1715. Related: Nutational .