▪ I. gravitating, vbl. n.
(ˈgrævɪteɪtɪŋ)
[f. gravitate v. + -ing1.]
The action of the vb. gravitate; gravitation. In quots. attrib. passing into adj. = gravitative. Also Comb., as gravitating-machine (see gravitate v. 2 c).
| 1665 Phil. Trans. I. 31 About the variations in the Moon, and its gravitating principle. 1692 Bentley Boyle Lect. vii. 244 The Gravitating Power of each of them is exactly proportional to their Matter. a 1711 Ken Hymnarium Poet. Wks. 1721 II. 145 To see all Nature's Course, Harmonious kept by gravitating Force. 1817 J. Scott Paris Revisit. (ed. 4) 387 A general gravitating tendency towards the centre of the state. 1860 Tyndall Glac. ii. xix. 329 We have a certain amount of gravitating force stored up. |
▪ II. gravitating, ppl. a.
(ˈgrævɪteɪtɪŋ)
[f. gravitate v. + -ing2.]
That gravitates; † exerting weight or pressure (obs.); moving or tending to move by gravitation.
| 1718 J. Chamberlayne Relig. Philos. (1730) II. xvii. §40 Set a Cup full of Water under the Receiver of an Air⁓pump, then draw off the gravitating Air. 1794 J. Hutton Philos. Light, etc. 244 The gravitating matter which is proper to this globe. 1853 Kane Grinnell Exp. xlv. (1856) 411 The opposing face of the berg varies with every change of its gravitating centre. 1881 Greener Gun 83 Manton's latest improvement in flint-locks was the gravitating stop. 1893 Tyndall in Daily News 5 Jan. (1894) 5/4 Lifted on the wings of hope and then let fall like a simple gravitating mass without a pinion. |