Wordnet 3.0
NOUN (1)
1.
uncontrolled nodding;
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Nutation \Nu*ta"tion\, n. [L. nutatio a nodding, fr. nutare to
nod: cf. F. nutation.]
1. The act of nodding.
[1913 Webster]
So from the midmost the nutation spreads,
Round and more round, o'er all the sea of heads.
--Pope.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Astron.) A very small libratory motion of the earth's
axis, by which its inclination to the plane of the
ecliptic is constantly varying by a small amount.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Bot.)
(a) The motion of a flower in following the apparent
movement of the sun, from the east in the morning to
the west in the evening.
(b) Circumnutation.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
nutation
n 1: uncontrolled nodding