I. ˈrōˌtāt, usu -ād.+V adjective
Etymology: Latin rota wheel + English -ate
: having the parts flat and spreading or radiating like the spokes of a wheel
rotate blue flowers
II. ˈrōˌtāt, usu -ād.+V; chiefly Brit ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin rotatus, past participle of rotare, from rota wheel — more at roll
intransitive verb
1. : to turn about an axis or a center : revolve
the magnetic drums rotate — Magnus Pyke
a pivoted seat which can rotate in an arc of 180 degrees — Scientific American
the earth rotates around the sun — Hugh Odishaw
specifically : to move in such a way that all particles follow circles with a common angular velocity about a common axis
2. : to perform an act, function, or operation in turn : pass or alternate in a series
the 17 judges who rotate through the court — Marjorie Rittwagen
these typewriters rotate through all the classrooms — Naomi L. Engelsman
rotating internships
3.
a. : to move a joint with a circular motion in dancing
b. : to progress in a circular path around a central axis in dancing
transitive verb
1. : to cause to turn about an axis or a center : revolve
the crankshaft is rotated — Joseph Heitner
asked the patient to rotate his eyes
2. : to cause to grow in rotation : vary by rotational planting
rotate crops
3. : to cause to pass or act in a series : alternate
every food used was rotated … so that each food was repeated at a specified interval — H.J.Rinkel
rotated the honor between them so that neither should feel hurt — Ernest Beaglehole
4. : to exchange (individuals or units) with personnel more comfortably situated
a buddy of his … was to be rotated home — E.J.Kahn
5. : to move (a joint) with a circular motion in dancing
Synonyms:
rotate and alternate mean to succeed or cause to succeed each other in turn. rotate may apply to two or more things and implies an indefinite repetition of an order of succession, usually a predetermined order
to rotate crops is to grow different crops on the same land in successive seasons in an order designed to maintain soil fertility
workers may rotate in jobs when they periodically interchange jobs according to a predetermined scheme
a repertory company of veteran actors who could rotate in the playing of starring, featured, and minor roles — Current Biography
alternate may be used interchangeably with rotate
workers may alternate in their jobs
but in such use it usually puts strong stress on the succession of one upon another rather than the interchange of all even though in a given order
the three plots alternate in the representation — L.P.Goggin
a large number of vertical fountains, which alternate in a series of sprays — American Guide Series: Michigan
More usually alternate applies to only two things and generally does not put strong stress on repetition or continuity
a region of rich and varied productivity, in which oil fields and cultivated lands alternate — Encyc. Americana
Synonym: see in addition turn .