saltation Hear it!

saltation definition

sal·ta·tion (sal tā′s̸hən)

noun

  1. a leaping, jumping, or dancing
  2. sudden change, movement, or development, as if by leaping
  3. Biol. a sudden, major inherited change in an organism, usually caused by a mutation

Etymology: L saltatio, a dancing, dance < saltatus, pp. of saltare: see saltant

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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