Definitions for precession

• Definition
• Anagrams (741)

precession pre·ces·sion

Spelling: [pree-sesh-uh n]

IPA: /priˈsɛʃ ən/

Precession is a 10 letter English word. It's valid Words with friends word worth 17 points.

You can make 741 anagrams from letters in precession (ceeinoprss).

Definitions for precession

noun

1. the act or fact of preceding; precedence.
2. Mechanics. the motion of the rotation axis of a rigid body, as a spinning top, when a disturbing torque is applied while the body is rotating such that the rotation axis describes a cone, with the vertical through the vertex of the body as axis of the cone, and the motion of the rotating body is perpendicular to the direction of the torque.
3. Astronomy. the slow, conical motion of the earth's axis of rotation, caused by the gravitational attraction of the sun and moon, and, to a smaller extent, of the planets, on the equatorial bulge of the earth. precession of the equinoxes.

Origin of precession

1300-50; Late Latin praecessiōn- (stem of praecessiō) a going before, advance, equivalent to Latin praecess(us) (past participle of praecēdere to precede) + -iōn-

Examples for precession

This precession continues until the roller and the shelf cease to touch.

If the earth were a perfect sphere, precession would be inexplicable.

If this rule is right, we see at once why precession takes place.

Hurry on the precession, and the body rises in opposition to gravity.

Of these the principal are devoted to the effect of precession.

It is as much outside 97 our control as the precession of the equinoxes.

Making proper allowance for the precession of the equinoxes.

He knows about as much about mining as a hog does about the precession of the equinox.

Its movement we see in the heavens in the precession of the equinoxes.

In fact he had discovered the physical cause of that precession.