1. moves in a slow circular motion around an axis while rotating, like a spinning top that wobbles
Usage: physics; astronomy

Examples

• The Earth’s axis precesses over a period of about 26,000 years.
• A spinning gyroscope precesses when a force is applied to it.
• The planet’s orbit precesses due to gravitational influences from other bodies.
• As the top slows down, it precesses more noticeably before falling over.
• Mercury’s orbit precesses slightly more than Newton’s theory predicted.
• The satellite’s orientation precesses as it orbits the Earth.