Lexic.us

Definition of Precession

1. Noun. The motion of a spinning body (as a top) in which it wobbles so that the axis of rotation sweeps out a cone.

2. Noun. The act of preceding in time or order or rank (as in a ceremony).

Definition of Precession

1. n. The act of going before, or forward.

Definition of Precession

1. Noun. precedence ¹

2. Noun. (context: physics countable) The wobbling motion of the axis of a spinning body when there is an external force acting on the axis. ¹

3. Noun. (context: astronomy uncountable) 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. ¹

4. Noun. Any of several slow changes in an astronomical body's rotational or orbital parameters. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Precession

1. [n -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Precession

preceptory preceptour preceptress preceptresses precepts preceramic precertification precertified precertifies precertify

precertifying precess precessed precesses precessing precession (current term) precession of the equinoxes precessional precessions precessor

precessors precharge precharged precharges precharging precheck prechecked prechecking prechecks prechew

Literary usage of Precession

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Manual of Spherical and Practical Astronomy: Embracing the General by William Chauvenet (1900)
"precession. 364. Luni-solar precession.—It is shown in physical astronomy that the attraction of the sun and moon upon that portion of the matter of our ..."

2. A Manual of Spherical and Practical Astronomy: Embracing the General by William Chauvenet (1874)
"precession. 364. Luni-solar precession.—It is shown in physical astronomy that the attraction of the sun and moon upon that portion of the matter of ..."

3. A Treatise on Gyrostatics and Rotational Motion: Theory and Applications by Andrew Gray (1918)
"Direct and retrograde precession. Stability of steady motion. From the discussion given above it will be seen that if 6= ITT, the larger root of the steady ..."

4. Dynamics of Rotation: An Elementary Introduction to Rigid Dynamics by Arthur Mason Worthington (1892)
"Hence, when the impulsive couple, having reached its maximum value, begins to diminish again, this same inertia has the effect of hurrying the precession, ..."

5. A Text Book of the Principles of Physics by Alfred Daniell (1895)
"new or third rotation, round AC ; if the precession be made more rapid, the resultant axis now lies between AB and AC, and the top rises. ..."

6. A Text Book of the Principles of Physics by Alfred Daniell (1894)
"new or third rotation, round AC; if the precession be made more rapid, the resultant axis now lies between AB and AC, and the top rises. ..."

7. A Dictionary of Science, Literature, & Art: Comprising the Definitions and by George William Cox (1867)
"The constant of precession for the year 1868 is 50-2565". of about 5 to 2. ... The physical cause of thn precession of the equinoxes is the combined action ..."

8. A Compendium of Spherical Astronomy with Its Applications to the by Simon Newcomb (1906)
"Theoretical relations of precession and nutation. In presenting the results of the theory of the relation between the motions of precession and nutation, ..."

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