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- pronunciation:
- ro
teIt
- features:
- Language Note, Word Builder, Word Explorer, Word Parts
| part of speech: |
verb |
| inflections: |
rotates, rotating, rotated |
| definition 1: |
to cause to turn around on an axis.
I rotated the globe to find South America.- synonyms:
- roll, spin, turn, wheel
- similar words:
- circle, pivot, reel, swivel, twirl, twist, whirl, wind
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| definition 2: |
to replace according to planned cycles.
The coach rotated the players to give everyone a chance to play.- similar words:
- stagger, switch
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| definition 3: |
to turn on or around a fixed point.
Spin the top to make it rotate.- synonyms:
- revolve, roll
- similar words:
- circle, pivot, spin, swivel, twirl, whirl
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| definition 4: |
to change in a certain order; take turns.
The nurses on duty rotated every eight hours.- synonyms:
- alternate
- similar words:
- proceed, progress, take turns
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| related words: |
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.
The word rotate
contains the following parts:
rot
Latin
root
that means turn
  Example words:
-ate1
Latin
verb-forming suffix
that means to make, cause, do
More about this word part:
The suffix -ate
primarily forms transitive verbs from Latin bases. Many -ate
verbs were loanwords from Latin. Verbs ending in -ate
combine with the suffix -ion to form nouns ending in -ation. These verbs also have corresponding agent nouns ending in -ator (navigator, dictator, elevator).
Example words:
abbreviate, abdicate, accelerate, accommodate, accumulate, activate, adequate, administrator, advocate, affiliate, aggravate, agitate, alternate, animate, annihilate, assimilate, associate, circulate, collaborate, commemorate, complicate, concentrate, congregate, consecrate, cooperate, coordinate, dedicate, dehydrate, deliberate, dictate, disintegrate, dislocate, domesticate, dominate, donate, duplicate, educate, elaborate, elevate, emigrate, enunciate, eradicate, evacuate, exasperate, generate, graduate, illuminate, illustrate, incorporate, interrogate, irrigate, liberate, locate, narrate, navigate, nominate, operate, originate, participate, populate, radiate, regulate, rotate, segregate, terminate
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