reptation
/rɛpˈteɪʃn/noun
Chemistry. The snake-like movement of a polymer chain in a tangled state, when it is constrained within a topological ‘tube’ by surrounding molecules.
Origin
Mid 19th century (in an earlier sense). From French reptation action of creeping or crawling, especially in the manner of a snake and its etymon classical Latin reptātiōn-, reptātiō action of crawling (Quintilian) from reptāt-, past participial stem of reptāre to creep + -iō.
- imperceptive
- impercipience
- impercipient
- imperfect
- imperfect competition
- imperfection
- imperfective
- imperfectly
- imperfect rhyme
- imperforate
- imperial
- imperial beard
- imperial blue
- imperial city
- imperial cloth
- imperial defence
- imperial defense
- imperial dome
- imperial drink
- imperial eagle
- imperial elephant
- imperial federation
- imperial gallon
- imperialin
- imperialine