precess

Gravitational effects are known to cause the orbit’s ellipse to precess, or rotate, by about 17 degrees per year.

For example, the researchers measure the rate at which the orbit’s ellipse rotates, or precesses, to see if it agrees with expectations.

Instead of tumbling, it begins to precess around the trajectory of the ball.

Flexing it—which would happen if they let the asteroid precess at will—would soon fatigue even that heavy bolt.

The Security men were attempting to instruct the computer to precess the wheel back to its original position.

If allowed to "precess" it will respond by moving perpendicularly to a deflecting force.