Main Entry:

nu·ta·tion

Pronunciation:

\nü-ˈtā-shən, nyü-\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Latin nutation-, nutatio, from nutare to nod, rock — more at numen

Date:

1612

1archaic : the act of nodding the head2: oscillatory movement of the axis of a rotating body (as the earth) : wobble3: a spontaneous usually spiral movement of a growing plant part

— nu·ta·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective