Definition of gravitate

The term "gravitate" is commonly used to describe the natural tendency of objects with mass to pull towards each other, owing to the force of gravity. The origin of the word "gravitate" can be traced back to the early 17th century, during a time when the concept of gravity was still being explored and refined. The Latin root of "gravitate" is "gravitas," which translates to "weight" or "heaviness." In medieval Latin, this term was used to describe the concept of moral gravity, or the importance and seriousness of a particular matter. Later, in the Scientific Revolution, the phrase "gravitas gravitatis" (weight of gravity) was coined by the prominent English scientist Sir Isaac Newton, as a way to describe the force that holds objects in place on the Earth's surface. The term "gravitate" itself came into use in the early 18th century, around the same time that Newton's laws of motion and universal gravitation were being widely accepted in the scientific community. The verb "gravitate" was formed by combining the Latin euphonic suffix "at" (which indicates motion or direction) with the Latin noun "gravitas." Used in a scientific context, "gravitate" refers specifically to the natural tendency of an object to move towards another object due to gravity. In modern usage, "gravitate" is commonly employed to describe a general tendency towards something, whether physical or metaphorical, such as being "gravitated towards" a certain person, field of study, or concept.