Grav"i*tate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Gravitated (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Gravitating (?).] [Cf. F. graviter. See Gravity.] To obey the law of
gravitation; to exert a force Or pressure, or tend to move, under the
influence of gravitation; to tend in any direction or toward any
object.
Why does this apple fall to the ground? Because all bodies
gravitate toward each other.
Sir W. Hamilton.
Politicians who naturally gravitate towards the stronger party.
Macaulay.
Grav"i*ta"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. gravitation. See Gravity.] 1. The act of
gravitating.
2. (Pysics) That species of attraction or force by which all bodies or
particles of matter in the universe tend toward each other; called also
attraction of gravitation, universal gravitation, and universal
gravity. See Attraction, and Weight.
Law of gravitation, that law in accordance with which gravitation acts,
namely, that every two bodies or portions of matter in the universe
attract each other with a force proportional directly to the quantity
of matter they contain, and inversely to the squares of their
distances.
Grav`i*tation*al (?), a. (Physics) Of or pertaining to the force of
gravity; as, gravitational units.
Gravi*ta*tive (?), a. Causing to gravitate; tending to a center.
Coleridge.
Grav"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Gravities (#). [L. gravitas, fr. gravis heavy;
cf. F. gravitÈ. See Grave, a., Grief.] 1. The state of having weight;
beaviness; as, the gravity of lead.
2. Sobriety of character or demeanor. "Men of gravity and learning."
Shak.
! p. 648 needs proofing ##proof - especially italicized words (also in
etymologies) are not properly marked !>
3. Importance, significance, dignity, etc; hence, seriousness;
enormity; as, the gravity of an offense.
They derive an importance from . . . the gravity of the place where
they were uttered.
Burke.
4. (Physics) The tendency of a mass of matter toward a center of
attraction; esp., the tendency of a body toward the center of the
earth; terrestrial gravitation.