Precession vs. Nutation — What's the Difference?

Precession is a change in the orientation of the rotational axis of a rotating body. In an appropriate reference frame it can be defined as a change in the first Euler angle, whereas the third Euler angle defines the rotation itself.

Nutation (from Latin nūtātiō 'nodding, swaying') is a rocking, swaying, or nodding motion in the axis of rotation of a largely axially symmetric object, such as a gyroscope, planet, or bullet in flight, or as an intended behaviour of a mechanism. In an appropriate reference frame it can be defined as a change in the second Euler angle.

The act or state of preceding; precedence.

The act or an instance of nodding the head.

(Physics) The motion of the axis of a spinning body, such as the wobble of a spinning top, when there is an external force acting on the axis.

A wobble in a spinning gyroscope or other rotating body.

Precession of the equinoxes.

(Astronomy) A small periodic irregularity in the precessional motion of the earth's polar axis with respect to the pole of the ecliptic.

A slow gyration of the earth's rotational axis around the pole of the ecliptic, caused by the gravitational pull of the sun, moon, and other planets on the earth's equatorial bulge.

(Botany) A slight curving or circular movement in a stem, as of a twining plant, caused by variation in growth rates of different parts.

(uncountable) Precedence.

(physics) A bobbing motion that accompanies the precession of a spinning rigid body.

The wobbling motion of the axis of a spinning body when there is an external force acting on the axis.

A nodding motion (of the head etc.).

The slow gyration of the earth's axis around the pole of the ecliptic, caused mainly by the gravitational torque of the sun and moon.

(astronomy) Any of several irregularities in the precession of the equinoxes caused by varying torque applied to the Earth by the Sun and the Moon.

Any of several slow changes in an astronomical body's rotational or orbital parameters.

(botany) The circular motion of the tip of a growing shoot.

The act of going before, or forward.

The act of nodding.

The motion of a spinning body (as a top) in which it wobbles so that the axis of rotation sweeps out a cone

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.

The act of preceding in time or order or rank (as in a ceremony)

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.

Uncontrolled nodding