osculation

[os-kyuh-ley-shuh n] /ˌɒs kyəˈleɪ ʃən/
noun
1.
the act of kissing.
2.
a kiss.
3.
close contact.
4.
Geometry. the contact between two osculating curves or the like.
Origin
1650-60; < Latin ōsculātiōn- (stem of ōsculātiō) a kissing, equivalent to ōsculāt(us) (see osculate) + -iōn- -ion
Can be confused
auscultation, osculation.
Examples from the web for osculation
  • The integration of motion starts from an osculation epoch at which the orbit of the primary fragment is known.
  • Such osculation should be severely rebuked by the courts.
  • The higher quotations obtaining on clerical osculation will he duly noted.
British Dictionary definitions for osculation

osculation

/ˌɒskjʊˈleɪʃən/
noun
1.
(maths) Also called tacnode. a point at which two branches of a curve have a common tangent, each branch extending in both directions of the tangent
2.
(rare) the act or an instance of kissing
Derived Forms
osculatory (ˈɒskjʊlətərɪ; -trɪ) adjective
Word Origin and History for osculation
n.

"kissing; a kiss," 1650s, from Latin osculationem (nominative osculatio), noun of action from past participle stem of osculari (see osculate).