precession Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the motion of a spinning body (as a top) in which it wobbles so that the axis of rotation sweeps out a cone
  2. noun the act of preceding in time or order or rank (as in a ceremony)
    precedency; precedence.

WordNet

Pre*ces"sion noun
Etymology
L. praecedere, praecessum, to go before: cf. F. précession. See Precede.
Definitions
  1. The act of going before, or forward.

Webster 1913