saltation (n.)

"a leap, a bound," 1620s, from Latin saltationem (nominative saltatio) "a dancing; dance," noun of action from past-participle stem of saltare "to hop, to dance," frequentative of salire "to leap" (see salient (adj.)).

Entries linking to saltation

salient (adj.)

1560s, "leaping," a heraldic term, from Latin salientem (nominative saliens), present participle of salire "to leap," from a PIE root of uncertain form (source also of Sanskrit sisarsi, sisrate "to flow, run, hurry;"Greek hallesthai "to leap," Middle Irish saltraim "I trample," Middle Welsh sathar "trampling").

The meaning "pointing outward" (preserved in military usage) is from 1680s; that of "prominent, striking" first recorded 1840, from salient point (1670s), which refers to the heart of an embryo, which seems to leap, and translates Latin punctum saliens, going back to Aristotle's writings. Hence, the "starting point" of anything.

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Definitions of saltation

saltation (n.)

a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards;

Synonyms: leap / leaping / spring / bound / bounce

saltation (n.)

(geology) the leaping movement of sand or soil particles as they are transported in a fluid medium over an uneven surface;

saltation (n.)

(genetics) a mutation that drastically changes the phenotype of an organism or species;

saltation (n.)

an abrupt transition;

Synonyms: leap / jump

saltation (n.)

taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music;

Synonyms: dancing / dance / terpsichore

From wordnet.princeton.edu

Dictionary entries near saltation

salsify

salt

SALT

salt river

salt water

saltation

saltatorial

salt-box

salt-cellar

saltine

saltiness