I. ˈrōd.ərē, -ōtə-, -əri sometimes -ōˌter- adjective
Etymology: Medieval Latin rotarius, from Latin rota wheel + -arius -ary — more at roll
1.
a. : of, relating to, or resembling a wheel turning on its axis
rotary blades
b. : resembling the motion of a rotating body
rotary motion
rotary movement
— compare rotational , rotatory
2. : having an important part that turns on an axis
rotary cutter
3. : characterized by rotation of persons
employment … under a rotary hiring system — Stanley Levey
4. : produced by or used in a rotary press
rotary gravure
rotary printing
rotary plates
II. noun
( -es )
1. : a rotary machine: as
a. : rotary press
b. : a rig for drilling a well by the rotary method
c. : a drill-pipe turntable and the mechanical assembly for supporting and rotating it
d. or rotary converter : synchronous converter
2. also rotary intersection : a road junction formed around a central more or less circular plot about which traffic moves in one direction only — called also circle, traffic circle