The attraction toward the earth that makes any mass exert downward force or have weight. Strictly speaking, g. is the algebraic sum of the gravitational attraction of the earth and the opposing centrifugal effect of the mass's rotation around the earth. Thus, gravitational attraction at the north and south poles is larger than at the equator. A satellite in a stable orbit has zero g. because the centrifugal effect of orbital motion exactly balances the gravitational attraction of the earth. [L. gravitas]
- specific g. (sp. gr.) the weight of any body compared with that of another body of equal volume regarded as the unit; usually the weight of a liquid compared with that of distilled water.
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1) WEIGHT (1) used chiefly in the phrase center of gravity
2 a) the gravitational attraction of the mass of the earth, the moon, or a planet for bodies at or near its surface broadly GRAVITATION
b) ACCELERATION OF GRAVITY
c) SPECIFIC GRAVITY
gravity adj
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grav·i·ty (gravґĭ-te) [L. gravitas] 1. the phenomenon by which two bodies having mass are attracted to each other. 2. the gravitational attraction near a large body having mass, particularly near or on the surface of a planet or star.Medical dictionary. 2011.