First Known Use: 1785
Dictionary
1rotate
adjective ro·tate \ˈrō-ˌtāt\
Definition of ROTATE
: having the parts flat and spreading or radiating like the spokes of a wheel <rotate blue flowers>
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Origin of ROTATE
Latin rota
Other Botany Terms
Rhymes with ROTATE
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2rotate
verb ro·tate \ˈrō-ˌtāt, especially British rō-ˈ\
: to move or turn in a circle
: to regularly change the person who does a particular job so that all the members of a group do it at different times
: to regularly change the place or position of things or people so that each takes the place of another
ro·tat·edro·tat·ing
Full Definition of ROTATE
intransitive verb
1
a : to perform an act, function, or operation in turn b : to pass or alternate in a series
2
: to turn about an axis or a center : revolve; especially : to move in such a way that all particles follow circles with a common angular velocity about a common axis
transitive verb
1
a : to cause to turn or move about an axis or a center b : to cause (a plane region or line) to sweep out a volume or surface by moving around an axis so that each of its points remains at a constant distance from the axis <generate a torus by rotating a circle about an external line>
2
: to cause to grow in rotation <rotate crops>
3
: to cause to pass or act in a series : alternate
4
: to exchange (individuals or units) with others
— ro·tat·able \ˈrō-ˌtā-tə-bəl also rō-ˈ\ adjective
See rotate defined for English-language learners
See rotate defined for kids
Origin of ROTATE
Latin rotatus, past participle of rotare, from rota wheel — more at roll
First Known Use: 1785
ROTATE Defined for Kids
rotate
verb ro·tate \ˈrō-ˌtāt\
ro·tat·edro·tat·ing
Definition of ROTATE for Kids
1
: to turn about an axis or a center
2
: to go from one person to another or others in a cycle <The staff rotates working weekends.>
3
: to pass in a series <The seasons rotate.>
Medical Dictionary
rotate
verb ro·tate \ˈrō-ˌtāt, especially British rō-ˈ\
ro·tat·edro·tat·ing
Medical Definition of ROTATE
intransitive verb
: to turn about an axis or a center
transitive verb
: to cause to turn about an axis or a center <rotate the head>
Learn More About ROTATE
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