librate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In a general way a cable keeps a ship anchored in the same place, although wind and waves may cause it to "librate" about the anchor.

From A Text-Book of Astronomy by Comstock, George C.

Whence the objects appear to librate or circulate according to the motions of our heads, which is called dizziness; and we lose the means of balancing ourselves, or preserving our perpendicularity, by vision.

From Zoonomia, Vol. II Or, the Laws of Organic Life by Darwin, Erasmus

The child then drops upon the ground, and the neighbouring objects seem to continue for some seconds of time to circulate around him, and the earth under him appears to librate like a balance.

From Zoonomia, Vol. I Or, the Laws of Organic Life by Darwin, Erasmus

Cause of librations.—That the moon should librate is by no means so remarkable a fact as that it should at all times turn very nearly the same face toward the earth.

From A Text-Book of Astronomy by Comstock, George C.

He proceeded to see if by making the planet librate, or the plane of its orbit tilt up and down, anything could be done.

From Pioneers of Science by Lodge, Oliver, Sir