Definition of PRECESSION

precession

Meanings

Plural: precessions

Noun

  • the motion of a spinning body (as a top) in which it wobbles so that the axis of rotation sweeps out a cone
  • the act of preceding in time or order or rank (as in a ceremony)
  • Precedence.
  • The wobbling motion of the axis of a spinning body when there is an external force acting on the axis.
  • The slow gyration of the earth's axis around the pole of the ecliptic, caused mainly by the gravitational torque of the sun and moon.
  • Any of several slow changes in an astronomical body's rotational or orbital parameters.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English precessioun, precession, from Medieval Latin prēcessiōn-, prēcessio, from Latin praecēdō.

Scrabble Score: 14

precession is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
precession is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
precession is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 17

precession is a valid Words With Friends word