I. rōˈtāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin rotation-, rotatio, from rotatus (past participle of rotare to rotate) + -ion-, -io -ion
1.
a. : the act of turning about an axis or a center
the rotation of a shaft
the rotation of the earth about the sun
body rotation in slalom skiing
— see dextrorotation , levorotation , specific rotation ; compare optical rotation , polarization , revolution
b. : one complete turn : the angular displacement required to return a rotating body or figure to its original orientation — called also revolution
2.
a. : return or succession in a series
the rotation of the seasons
retired by rotation
b. : the action of placing in succession in a series
the resolution provided for rotation of the chairmanship — Vera M. Dean
3. : the growing of different crops in succession on one field usually in regular sequence
4. : the turning of a limb or other body part about its long axis as if on a pivot
rotation of the head to look over the shoulder
5. : the time required or estimated to be required to bring timber crops to a specified state of maturity
6. : the direction in which the turn to deal, bid, and play passes from player to player in a card game
7. : the exchange of individuals or units with personnel more comfortably situated
was due for rotation back home soon — Marcus Duffield
8. also rotation pool : fifteen-ball pool in which the object balls are played upon in numerical order
II. noun
: the series of pitchers on a baseball team who regularly start successive games in turn