Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
rotate 1[roh-teyt or, esp. British, roh-teyt] SynonymsExamplesWord Origin verb (used with object), ro·tat·ed, ro·tat·ing.
- to cause to turn around an axis or center point; revolve.
- to cause to go through a cycle of changes; cause to pass or follow in a fixed routine of succession: to rotate farm crops.
- to replace (a person, troops, etc.) by another or others, usually according to a schedule or plan.
verb (used without object), ro·tat·ed, ro·tat·ing.
- to turn around on or as if on an axis.
- to proceed in a fixed routine of succession: The sentries rotated in keeping watch.
Origin of rotate 1 1800–10; Latin rotātus (past participle of rotāre to cause to spin, roll, move in a circle), equivalent to rot(a) wheel + -ātus -ate1 Related formsro·tat·a·ble, adjectivero·tat·a·bly, adverbnon·ro·tat·a·ble, adjectivenon·ro·tat·ing, adjectiveun·ro·tat·ed, adjectiveun·ro·tat·ing, adjectiveSynonyms for rotate 1. wheel, whirl. See turn. Examples from the Web for rotatable Historical Examples of rotatable
It consists of a fixed and a rotatable coil whose windings are not connected with each other.
A. Frederick Collins
It consists of a fixed and a rotatable coil with the coils connected in series.
A. Frederick Collins
British Dictionary definitions for rotatable rotate verb (rəʊˈteɪt)
- to turn or cause to turn around an axis, line, or point; revolve or spin
- to follow or cause to follow a set order or sequence
- (of a position, presidency, etc) to pass in turn from one eligible party to each of the other eligible parties
- (of staff) to replace or be replaced in turn
adjective (ˈrəʊteɪt)
- botany designating a corolla the united petals of which radiate from a central point like the spokes of a wheel
Derived Formsrotatable, adjective Word Origin and History for rotatable rotate v.
1794, intransitive, back-formation from rotation. Transitive sense from 1823. Related: Rotated; rotating. Rotator “muscle which allows a part to be moved circularly” is recorded from 1670s.