Brachiation

/ˌbreɪkiˈeɪʃən/ noun

Definition

The method of locomotion where an animal swings from one arm hold to another, moving through space using primarily the arms.

Etymology

From 'brachiate' (to move by swinging arms) + Latin suffix '-tion' (creating a noun). This scientific term emerged in 19th-century primatology to formally describe gibbon and ape movement.

Kelly Says

Brachiation requires incredible upper body strength and precise spatial awareness—a gibbon's arm muscles are five times stronger than a human's relative to body size.

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