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Glite Dictionary
⚡ Abrupt change 🦘 Jumping movement
saltation

saltation

9.9
Movement in short jumps, like sand grains bouncing in wind
  • noun
  • /sælˈteɪʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : saltación
  • OK, saltations are jumps, saltatory conduction.

Examples

  • In the dance performance, the choreography included a series of saltations that showcased the dancers' agility and grace.

  • The experiment demonstrated that the process of saltation occurs when small particles move in jumps across the surface.

  • The geology teacher explained that saltation describes how sediment particles leap and bounce along a riverbed.

Synonyms

leap
vssaltation
107 1.0

A jump through the air or a sudden strong feeling

is used more generally, including physical and particle movements not reactions
bounce
vssaltation
56 2.2

A light springy movement or a lively feeling in a person

focuses on direct upward or forward movement including dance and particle motion
spring
vssaltation
18 1.3

A quick jump forward or upward made with energy

is more general, covering various jump types including particle motion
bound
vssaltation
13 4.8

A quick springing movement upwards or forwards

is broader, applying also to dance and particle jumps rather than only light moves
leaping
vssaltation
9 1.3

A quick, strong jump upward or forward

is broader, covering physical jumps and particle or dance movements

Antonyms

to rest
816 1.0

To stop activity to relax or sleep and get energy back

stillness
38 3.5

A time of complete quiet and no movement that feels calm

How Lively

leap
107 1.0
saltation
  • Specialized
9.9
motion
544 1.4

Surface Forms

saltation singular
saltations plural

Morphology

saltation = saltate (semi-transparent) = salt + ation

The sense 'movement by jumping' is a direct, literal development of the root meaning 'to leap', but the root form is Latin-derived and uncommon in everyday English.

Etymology

The word saltation comes from the Latin saltare, 'to jump', and you can see this root in motion words like salto or somersault. That's why saltation is used for movement by 'jumping' or bouncing, for example sand grains that hop along the ground.