Definitions for: Saltation

[n] a light springing movement upwards or forwards
[n] taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
[n] an abrupt transition; "a successful leap from college to the major leagues"
[n] a mutation that drastically changes the phenotype of an organism or species
[n] (geology) the leaping movement of sand or soil particles as they are transported in a fluid medium over an uneven surface

Webster (1913) Definition: Sal*ta"tion, n. [L. saltatio: cf. F. saltation.]
1. A leaping or jumping.

Continued his saltation without pause. --Sir W.
Scott.

2. Beating or palpitation; as, the saltation of the great
artery.

3. (Biol.) An abrupt and marked variation in the condition or
appearance of a species; a sudden modification which may
give rise to new races.

We greatly suspect that nature does make
considerable jumps in the way of variation now and
then, and that these saltations give rise to some of
the gaps which appear to exist in the series of
known forms. --Huxley.

Synonyms: bounce, bound, dance, dancing, jump, leap, leap, leaping, spring, terpsichore

See Also: action, activity, break dance, break dancing, ceremonial dance, choreography, chromosomal mutation, diversion, duet, genetic mutation, hoofing, jump, jumping, mutation, natural action, natural process, nauch, nautch, nautch dance, pas de deux, pas seul, pavan, pavane, pounce, quantum jump, recreation, ritual dance, ritual dancing, saraband, skank, slam dance, slam dancing, social dancing, stage dancing, step dancing, toe dance, toe dancing, transition, variation

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