SALTATION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does saltation mean? 

• SALTATION (noun)
  The noun SALTATION has 5 senses:

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

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

3. an abrupt transition

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

5. a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards

  Familiarity information: SALTATION used as a noun is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SALTATION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural processes

Hypernyms ("saltation" is a kind of...):

action; activity; natural action; natural process (a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings))

Domain category:

geology (a science that deals with the history of the earth as recorded in rocks)

Derivation:

saltate (move by saltation)

Sense 2

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Hypernyms ("saltation" is a kind of...):

chromosomal mutation; genetic mutation; mutation ((genetics) any event that changes genetic structure; any alteration in the inherited nucleic acid sequence of the genotype of an organism)

Domain category:

genetic science; genetics (the branch of biology that studies heredity and variation in organisms)

Sense 3

Meaning:

An abrupt transition

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Synonyms:

jump; leap; saltation

Context example:

a successful leap from college to the major leagues

Hypernyms ("saltation" is a kind of...):

transition (a change from one place or state or subject or stage to another)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "saltation"):

quantum jump ((physics) an abrupt transition of an electron or atom or molecule from one quantum state to another with the emission or absorption of a quantum)

Sense 4

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

dance; dancing; saltation; terpsichore

Hypernyms ("saltation" is a kind of...):

performing arts (arts or skills that require public performance)

diversion; recreation (an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates)

Domain member category:

jive (dance to jive music; dance the jive)

shimmy (dance a shimmy)

heel (perform with the heels)

belly dance (perform a belly dance)

tap dance (perform a tap dance)

clog (dance a clog dance)

dance; trip the light fantastic; trip the light fantastic toe (move in a pattern; usually to musical accompaniment; do or perform a dance)

busker (a person who entertains people for money in public places (as by singing or dancing), usually while asking for money)

sidestep (a step to one side (as in boxing or dancing))

tap (a small metal plate that attaches to the toe or heel of a shoe (as in tap dancing))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "saltation"):

hoofing; step dancing (dancing in which the steps are more important than gestures or postures)

ceremonial dance; ritual dance; ritual dancing (a dance that is part of a religious ritual)

mambo (a Latin American dance similar in rhythm to the rumba)

social dancing (dancing as part of a social occasion)

pas de quatre ((ballet) a dance for four people)

pas de trois ((ballet) a dance for three people)

duet; pas de deux ((ballet) a dance for two people (usually a ballerina and a danseur noble))

pas seul; variation ((ballet) a solo dance or dance figure)

choreography; stage dancing (a show involving artistic dancing)

toe dance; toe dancing (a dance performed on tiptoe)

slam dance; slam dancing (a form of dancing in which dancers slam into one another; normally performed to punk rock)

skank (a rhythmic dance to reggae music performed by bending forward and extending the hands while bending the knees)

saraband (a stately court dance of the 17th and 18th centuries; in slow time)

phrase (dance movements that are linked in a single choreographic sequence)

pavan; pavane (a stately court dance of the 16th and 17th centuries)

nauch; nautch; nautch dance (an intricate traditional dance in India performed by professional dancing girls)

courante (a court dance of the 16th century; consisted of short advances and retreats)

break dance; break dancing (a form of solo dancing that involves rapid acrobatic moves in which different parts of the body touch the ground; normally performed to the rhythm of rap music)

adagio (a slow section of a pas de deux requiring great skill and strength by the dancers)

Derivation:

saltate (leap or skip, often in dancing)

Sense 5

Meaning:

A light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

bounce; bound; leap; leaping; saltation; spring

Hypernyms ("saltation" is a kind of...):

jump; jumping (the act of jumping; propelling yourself off the ground)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "saltation"):

pounce (the act of pouncing)

caper; capriole (a playful leap or hop)

Derivation:

saltate (leap or skip, often in dancing)