saltatory

English

Etymology

From saltate +‎ -ory.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈsæltət(ə)ɹi/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈsæltəˌtɔɹi/, /ˈsɔl.-/, (cot–caught merger) /ˈsɑl.-/

Adjective

saltatory (comparative more saltatory, superlative most saltatory)

1. Of or pertaining to leaps or leaping.
   • 1859, Charles Dickens, The Haunted House:

     When we had all laughed and applauded till we were faint, Starling, not to be outdone, favoured us with a more modern saltatory entertainment in the Lancashire clog manner — to the best of my belief, the longest dance ever performed […]

2. Proceeding by leaps rather than by smooth, continuous variation.