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ro·tate

(rōtāt)

v. ro·tat·ed, ro·tat·ing, ro·tates

v.intr.

1. To turn around on an axis or center. See Synonyms at turn.

2. To proceed in sequence; take turns or alternate: Interns will rotate through the various departments.

v.tr.

1. To cause to turn on an axis or center.

a. To plant or grow (crops) in a fixed order of succession.

b. To cause to alternate or proceed in sequence: The coach rotates her players frequently near the end of the game.

adj.

Having radiating parts; wheel-shaped.

[Latin rotāre, rotāt-, from rota, wheel; see ret- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

rotat′a·ble adj.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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