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grav·i·ta·tion

(grăv′ĭ-tāshən)

1. Physics

a. The natural phenomenon of attraction between physical objects with mass or energy; the weakest of the four fundamental forces of nature. Also called gravity.

b. The act or process of moving under the influence of this attraction.

c. See gravitational interaction.

2. A movement toward a source of attraction: the gravitation of the middle classes to the suburbs.

grav′i·tation·al adj.

grav′i·tation·al·ly adv.

gravi·ta′tive adj.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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