I.v. freq. n. [nuo (of re-nuo, ab-nuo); Gr. νεύω; cf. numen, nutus], to nod with the head.
I. Lit.: “neque illa ulli homini nutet, nictet, annuat,” Plaut. As. 4, 1, 39; id. Merc. 2, 3, 72: “capite nutat,” id. Mil. 2, 2, 52: crebro capitis motu nutans. Suet. Calig. 38: “nutans. Distorquens oculos,” Hor. S. 1, 9, 64.—
B. Esp., to command by a nod or sign: “nutat ne loquar,” Plaut. Men. 4, 2, 48.—
II. In gen., to sway to and fro, to totter, shake, stagger.
A. Lit.: “nutant circumspectantibus galeae, et incerti trepidant,” Liv. 4, 37: “ornus,” Verg. A. 2, 629; 9, 682: “percutiens nutanti pectora mento,” Ov. M. 11, 620: “nutans machinamentum,” Tac. H. 4, 30: “nutantem vulnere civem,” Juv. 15, 156: “rami pondere,” Ov. A. A. 2, 263: “cristae,” Sil. 1, 501: “turres,” Luc. 6, 136: “plaustra,” Juv. 3, 256.—
B. Trop.
1. To waver in one's opinion or judgment; to doubt, hesitate: “etiam Democritus nutare videtur in naturā Deorum,” Cic. N. D. 1, 43, 120: “sic animus vario labefactus vulnere nutat,” Ov. M. 10, 375; cf. Stat. Th. 8, 614; 4, 197.—
2. To falter in one's fidelity, to be faithless: “ac primo Festūs nutabat, palam Vitellium, occultis nuntiis Vespasianum fovens,” Tac. H. 2, 98; Suet. Caes. 4.—
3. To be ready to fall or give way; to totter, to waver, fail, be weak, falter: “fortuna nutabit,” Liv. 21, 44: “tanto discrimine urbs nutabat, ut, etc.,” Tac. H. 4, 52: “nutantem aciem victor equitatus incursat,” id. ib. 3, 18; “4, 49: rempublicam,” Suet. Vesp. 8; cf.: “moenia nutantia Romae,” Sil. 10, 590: “nutantem hostem praevenire,” Tac. H. 3, 40; cf. Flor. 3, 10, 4: “mundi nutante ruinā,” Luc. 4, 493.
