I. ˈrō-ˌtāt adjective
Etymology: Latin rota
Date: 1785
: having the parts flat and spreading or radiating like the spokes of a wheel
rotate blue flowers
II. ˈrō-ˌtāt, especially Brit rō-ˈ verb
( ro·tat·ed ; ro·tat·ing )
Etymology: Latin rotatus, past participle of rotare, from rota wheel — more at roll
Date: 1785
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