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Glite Dictionary
⚡ Abrupt change 🦘 Jumping movement
saltation

saltation

9.9
A sudden change from one state to another
  • noun
  • /sælˈteɪʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : saltación
  • The researcher noted a significant saltation in species behavior during the experiment.

Examples

  • In the study of genetics, saltation refers to a radical change from one phenotype to another.

  • Acquired traits in evolution and evolutionary saltation.

    Academic text (1993)

  • The sudden saltation in climate patterns has caused diverse ecological impacts worldwide.

Synonyms

leap
vssaltation
131 3.2

A sudden big change or increase

is the sudden shift concept but not limited to large changes
mutation
vssaltation
  • Specialized
85 5.6

A permanent change in DNA that can cause new traits

is a sudden transition idea that may include genetic permanent changes
jump
vssaltation
76 3.5

A sudden change from one state or level to another

is about abrupt transitions including genetic cases rather than other changes
rapid change
vssaltation
6 3.3

A quick move from one state to another

is about abrupt transitions including genetic cases not only speed
metabasis
vssaltation
9.9

A change from one state to another

is specifically about abrupt shifts rather than any general transition

Antonyms

stability
363 3.1

Being steady and not likely to change

continuity
52 4.7

A situation where things stay the same or keep happening without big changes

How Sudden

leap
131 3.2
saltation
  • Specialized
9.9
shift
363 3.5
change
∞ 1.1
variation
113 3.0

Surface Forms

saltation singular
saltations plural

Morphology

saltation = saltate (opaque) = salt + ation

Built from the Latin root meaning 'to leap' plus the noun-forming suffix '-ation', but the root form is not a productive or familiar English base and the sense (sudden evolutionary change) is specialized.

Etymology

The word saltation comes from the Latin saltare, which means 'to jump', and is the same root behind the gym word salto and somersault. So a saltation in science is like a sudden 'jump' from one state to another.