gravity

grav-i-ty · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The force that attracts a body toward the center of the earth, or toward any other physical body having mass.

  2. 2.

    Extreme importance; seriousness.

  3. 3.

    Solemnity of manner or demeanor.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    center of gravity — the point at which weight is evenly distributed
  • •
    defy gravity — to seem to resist the pull of gravity
  • •
    zero gravity — the condition of apparent weightlessness
  • •
    specific gravity — the ratio of a substance's density to water

Related words

Antonyms: levity, lightness
See also: force, gravitational, seriousness, weight
Synonyms: gravitation, seriousness, solemnity

Etymology

From Latin gravitas ("weight, heaviness, seriousness"), from gravis ("heavy"). The physical sense was developed in the 17th century by Isaac Newton.