Definition of "saltation" in English

noun

1. A leap, jump or dance.

2. (biology) The act of jumping, or hopping, using all legs simultaneously (although the contribution to motion is typically made chiefly by the hind legs).

3. Beating or palpitation.

   • the saltation of the great artery

4. (biology) A sudden change from one generation to the next; a mutation.

5. Any abrupt transition.

6. (geology, fluid mechanics) The transport of loose particles by a fluid (such as wind or flowing water).

   • 2004, Basil Gomez, Mobile Bed, entry in Andrew Goudie (editor), Encyclopedia of Geomorphology, Volume 2, page 685, Saltation rapidly becomes the dominant type of motion as the flow intensity increases further, and at still higher flow intensities suspension begins to dominate. […] There is also an important difference between the movement of particles by saltation, in air and in water.