saltation

[ sal-tey-shuh n ]
/ sælˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

a dancing, hopping, or leaping movement.
an abrupt movement or transition.
Geology. intermittent, leaping movement of particles of sand or gravel, as from the force of wind or running water.
Biology.
  1. a sudden discontinuity in a line of descent.
  2. a mutation.

Origin of saltation

1640–50; < Latin saltātiōn- (stem of saltātiō) a dancing, equivalent to saltāt(us) (past participle of saltāre; see saltant) + -iōn- -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM saltation

sal·ta·tion·al, adjective

Words nearby saltation

salt-rising bread, salta, saltando, saltant, saltarello, saltation, saltationism, saltatorial, saltatory, saltatory conduction, saltatory evolution

British Dictionary definitions for saltational

saltation
/ (sælˈteɪʃən) /

noun

biology an abrupt variation in the appearance of an organism, species, etc, usually caused by genetic mutation
geology the leaping movement of sand or soil particles carried in water or by the wind
a sudden abrupt movement or transition

Word Origin for saltation

C17: from Latin saltātiō a dance, from saltāre to leap about

Medical definitions for saltational

saltation
[ săl-tā′shən, sôl- ]

n.

The act of leaping, jumping, or dancing.
Discontinuous movement, transition, or development; advancement by leaps as of a disease or physiologic function.
A single mutation that drastically alters the phenotype.

Scientific definitions for saltational

saltation
[ săl-tā′shən, sôl- ]

A single mutation that drastically alters the phenotype.