gravitate etymology

Etymology

The word "gravitate" originates from the Latin word "gravis," which means "heavy" or "weighty."

Meaning and Origin

The term "gravitate" has several meanings:

  • To attract: To draw or pull towards oneself, as if by a force of attraction.
  • To incline or trend: To have a natural tendency or inclination towards something.
  • To sink or fall: To move downwards, often due to the force of gravity.

The origin of the word "gravitate" lies in the scientific theories of Isaac Newton. In his seminal work, "Principia Mathematica," Newton proposed the concept of universal gravitation, which described how all objects in the universe attract each other with a force proportional to their masses. This concept became the basis for understanding how celestial bodies move and interact.

Usage in Science

In the context of science, "gravitate" is used to describe:

  • The attraction between objects with mass, as described by the law of universal gravitation.
  • The downward movement of objects due to the force of gravity.
  • The orbital motion of celestial bodies around each other, which is maintained by gravitational forces.

Other Uses

Beyond its scientific usage, "gravitate" is also commonly used in everyday language to describe situations where individuals or groups are drawn towards someone or something:

  • "Business leaders gravitate towards the most successful companies."
  • "Children gravitate towards toys and games."
  • "People tend to gravitate towards those who share their values."

gravitate relate terms

  • gravitation

    Etymology Latin gravitas weight heaviness From Proto Indo European gʷr̥h₁

  • gravitate

    Etymology The word gravitate originates from the Latin word gravis which means heav

  • gravity

    Etymology The word gravity is derived from the Middle English word gravite which in

  • levitate

    Etymology Latin levitatus meaning lightness Present participle of levitare mea

  • gravitate

    Etymology The word gravitate originates from the Latin word gravis which means heav

  • levity

    Etymology Latin levitas lightness fickleness frivolity PIE root leghu ligh

  • aggravate

    Etymology From Latin aggravare meaning to weigh down make heavier Derived from ad

  • aggravation

    Etymology French aggraver to make worse irritate Latin aggravāre to make heavy

  • aggrieve

    Etymology From Middle English agreven from Anglo Norman agrever from Old French agrev

  • bariatric

    Etymology The word bariatric comes from the Greek words baros βάρος weight

  • baritone

    Etymology Late Middle English 14th century from Italian baritono from Greek barys

  • barium

    Etymology Barium derives its name from the Greek word barys which means heavy Mea

  • barometer

    Etymology The word barometer is derived from the Greek words baros weight pressure

  • blitzkrieg

    Etymology and Meaning Blitzkrieg is a German compound word that consists of Blitz li

  • brig

    Etymology The word brig is derived from the Middle English term brigge or brigg wh

  • brigade

    Etymology Old French brigade Vulgar Latin brigata group of soldiers troop Celtic

  • brigand

    Etymology French brigand Italian brigante Medieval Latin briganta Late Latin briga

  • brigantine

    Etymology From the Old French brigantin a type of light armored vessel Ultimately

  • brio

    Etymology The word brio derives from the Italian noun brìo which in turn comes fro

  • brut

    Etymology The word brut has multiple etymological origins Old English brūt or b

  • brute

    Etymology The word brute is derived from the Old French word brute which in turn com

  • gravamen

    Etymology The word gravamen comes from the Latin word gravare which means to weigh

  • grave

    Etymology The word grave has its roots in the Latin word gravis which means heavy

  • gravid

    Etymology The word gravid comes from the Latin word gravidus which means heavy wit

  • gravimeter

    Etymology The word gravimeter is derived from two Latin roots gravis meaning heavy

  • gravitate

    Etymology The word gravitate originates from the Latin word gravis which means heav

  • gravity

    Etymology The word gravity is derived from the Middle English word gravite which in

  • grief

    Etymology The word grief derives from the Old French word grever meaning to cause

  • grieve

    Etymology Old French grever to harm burden oppress Origin Late Latin gravare to

  • kriegspiel

    Etymology From German Kriegsspiel war game Krieg war Spiel game Meaning

  • guru

    Etymology The word guru originates from the Sanskrit language It is derived from two S

  • hyperbaric

    Etymology The term hyperbaric derives from the Greek words hyper meaning above

  • isobar

    Etymology Isobar comes from two Greek words iso equal baros weight Meaning

  • quern

    Etymology Meaning and Origin of Quern Etymology The word quern originates from th

  • sitzkrieg

    Etymology From French Sitzkrieg literally sitting war from German Sitzkrieg liter

  • move

    Etymology The word move is derived from the Middle English muven which in turn came

  • lean

    Etymology Derived from the Old English word hlænan meaning to lean or incline Ger

  • tend

    Etymology The word tend comes from the Middle English word tenden which in turn com

  • incline

    Etymology The word incline derives from the Latin word inclinare meaning to bend or

  • bull

    Etymology The word bull comes from the Middle English word bulle which in turn came

  • abroad

    Etymology The word abroad comes from the Middle English word a brod which itself der

  • mood

    Etymology The word mood derives from the Old English mod which means spirit dis