precess

/priːˈsɛs/
verb
  1. To slowly change the direction of a spinning object's axis, like a spinning top wobbling as it slows down.
    • Astronomers observed the planet's axis precess over thousands of years.
    • The spinning top began to precess as its speed decreased.
    • The gyroscope in the navigation system will precess if you apply a force to it.
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