rotate
1
[ roh-teyt or, esp. British, roh-teyt ]
/ ˈroʊ teɪt or, esp. British, roʊˈteɪt /
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
OTHER WORDS FROM rotate
Words nearby rotate
Definition for rotate (2 of 2)
rotate
2
[ roh-teyt ]
/ ˈroʊ teɪt /
adjective
wheel-shaped: applied especially to a gamopetalous short-tubed corolla with a spreading limb.
Origin of rotate
2
1775–85; < Latin
rot(a) wheel +
-ate1
Example sentences from the Web for rotate
British Dictionary definitions for rotate
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