circumnutation Hear it!

circumnutation Definition

cir·cum·nu·ta·tion (-nyo̵̅o̅ tā′s̸hən)

noun

Bot. the irregular spiral or elliptical rotation of the apex of a growing stem, root, or shoot, caused by differences in the rate of growth of the opposite sides

Etymology: circum- + nutation

circumnutation Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • cotyledon: Ipomoea caerulea: circumnutation of cotyledon, traced on vertical glass, from 6.10 A.M. June 21st to 6.45 A.M. 22nd.

Adjective modifier

  • conjoint: Cassia tora: conjoint circumnutation of cotyledons and hypocotyl, traced on vertical glass, from 7.10 A.M. Sept. 25th to 7.30 A.M. 26th.