saltation

sal·ta·tion

S0047000 (săl-tā′shən, sôl-)n.1. The act of leaping, jumping, or dancing.2. Discontinuous movement, transition, or development; advancement by leaps.3. Genetics A single mutation that drastically alters the phenotype.

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[Latin saltātiō, saltātiōn, from saltātus, past participle of saltāre, to leap, frequentative of salīre, to jump; see salient.]

saltation

(sælˈteɪʃən) n1. (Biology) biology an abrupt variation in the appearance of an organism, species, etc, usually caused by genetic mutation2. (Geological Science) geology the leaping movement of sand or soil particles carried in water or by the wind3. a sudden abrupt movement or transition[C17: from Latin saltātiō a dance, from saltāre to leap about]

sal•ta•tion

(sælˈteɪ ʃən)

n. 1. a dancing or leaping movement. 2. an abrupt movement or transition. 3. Biol. a. a sudden discontinuity in a line of descent. b. a mutation. [1640–50; < Latin saltātiō dancing =saltā(re) to jump about, dance, frequentative of salire to jump + -tiō -tion] sal•ta′tion•al, adj.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	saltation - (geology) the leaping movement of sand or soil particles as they are transported in a fluid medium over an uneven surfacegeology - a science that deals with the history of the earth as recorded in rocksnatural action, natural process, action, activity - a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings); "the action of natural forces"; "volcanic activity"
	2.	saltation - (genetics) a mutation that drastically changes the phenotype of an organism or speciesgenetic science, genetics - the branch of biology that studies heredity and variation in organismschromosomal 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
	3.	saltation - an abrupt transition; "a successful leap from college to the major leagues"jump, leaptransition - a change from one place or state or subject or stage to anotherquantum 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
	4.	saltation - taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to musicdancing, terpsichore, dancesidestep - a step to one side (as in boxing or dancing)diversion, recreation - an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates; "scuba diving is provided as a diversion for tourists"; "for recreation he wrote poetry and solved crossword puzzles"; "drug abuse is often regarded as a form of recreation"adagio - a slow section of a pas de deux requiring great skill and strength by the dancersbreak 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 musiccourante - a court dance of the 16th century; consisted of short advances and retreatsnauch, nautch, nautch dance - an intricate traditional dance in India performed by professional dancing girlspavan, pavane - a stately court dance of the 16th and 17th centuriesphrase - dance movements that are linked in a single choreographic sequencesaraband - a stately court dance of the 17th and 18th centuries; in slow timeskank - a rhythmic dance to reggae music performed by bending forward and extending the hands while bending the kneesslam dance, slam dancing - a form of dancing in which dancers slam into one another; normally performed to punk rockhoofing, step dancing - dancing in which the steps are more important than gestures or posturestoe dance, toe dancing - a dance performed on tiptoechoreography, stage dancing - a show involving artistic dancingpas seul, variation - (ballet) a solo dance or dance figurepas de deux, duet - (ballet) a dance for two people (usually a ballerina and a danseur noble)pas de trois - (ballet) a dance for three peoplepas de quatre - (ballet) a dance for four peoplesocial dancing - dancing as part of a social occasionmambo - a Latin American dance similar in rhythm to the rumbaceremonial dance, ritual dance, ritual dancing - a dance that is part of a religious ritualtap - a small metal plate that attaches to the toe or heel of a shoe (as in tap dancing)performing arts - arts or skills that require public performancebusker - a person who entertains people for money in public places (as by singing or dancing), usually while asking for moneyjive - dance to jive music; dance the jivetrip the light fantastic, trip the light fantastic toe, dance - move in a pattern; usually to musical accompaniment; do or perform a dance; "My husband and I like to dance at home to the radio"clog - dance a clog dancetap dance - perform a tap dancebelly dance - perform a belly danceheel - perform with the heels; "heel that dance"shimmy - dance a shimmy
	5.	saltation - a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwardsleap, leaping, bounce, bound, springjumping, jump - the act of jumping; propelling yourself off the ground; "he advanced in a series of jumps"; "the jumping was unexpected"capriole, caper - a playful leap or hoppounce - the act of pouncing