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ro·tate
 rotate
- pronunciation:
- ro
teIt
- parts of speech:
- transitive verb, intransitive verb
- features:
- Language Note, Word Builder, Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
rotated, rotates, rotating |
| definition 1: |
to cause to revolve around an axis.
- synonyms:
- revolve, roll, spin, turn, wheel
- similar words:
- circle, pivot, reel, swivel, trundle, twirl, twist, whirl, wind
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| definition 2: |
to cause to be planted in cycles.
Farmers rotate their crops on a three-year schedule.- similar words:
- alternate, interchange, shift
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| definition 3: |
to cause (persons) to be replaced according to cycles.
- synonyms:
- alternate, interchange, shift
- similar words:
- stagger, switch
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| related words: |
turn |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| definition 1: |
to turn on or around a fixed point.
- synonyms:
- gyrate, revolve, roll, turn, wheel
- similar words:
- circle, pivot, ring, spin, swivel, twirl, whirl
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| definition 2: |
to progress according to a cycle of succeeding events; alternate.
- synonyms:
- alternate, cycle, interchange, revolve
- similar words:
- proceed, progress, take turns
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| related words: |
orbit, pitch, round, turn, twist |
| derivation: |
rotatable (adj.) |
Rotate and revolve are often confused. Both of these words describe the motion of Earth and other planets, moons, and stars. Rotate means to spin around an axis. Earth rotates completely in about 24 hours. Each rotation is one day.Revolve means to travel in a curved path around a central object. Earth revolves around the sun in about 365.25 days. Each revolution is one year.
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