ˈäsəˌlāt, usu -ād.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin oscillatus, past participle of oscillare to swing, from oscillum swing
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to swing backward and forward like a pendulum : move to and fro : vibrate
the completed statue … was placed upon a turntable base that slowly oscillates, completing a 90-degree arc every hour — American Guide Series: Minnesota
rocker arms on all other overhead valve engines oscillate on stationary tubular shafts — H.F.Blanchard & Ralph Ritchen
b. : to travel back and forth between two points
he oscillates regularly between his comfortable home … and his downtown office-laboratory — Gladwin Hill
2.
a. : to vary the state or condition : fluctuate
the snow line oscillates with the seasons, descending below ten thousand feet in winter — C.D.Forde
diaries showing how he oscillated between wealth and poverty — E.V.Lucas
b. : to vary between opposing attitudes, beliefs, feelings, or theories : think or act in a fickle manner : shilly-shally
men have oscillated in their opinions — W.E.Swinton
3. : to vibrate or vary above and below a mean value
bank rate oscillating between 2 1/2 percent and 6 1/2 percent — W.M.Dacey
a polynomial which oscillates greatly between the observed values — J.G.Kemeny
transitive verb
: to cause to oscillate
oscillate the crankshaft slightly to locate dead center — H.F.Blanchard & Ralph Ritchen
Synonyms: see swing