rotate

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   plant or grow in a fixed cyclic order of succession

   We rotate the crops so as to maximize the use of the soil

2. 2
   verb

   perform a job or duty on a rotating basis

   Interns have to rotate for a few months

3. 3
   verb

   exchange on a regular basis

   We rotate the lead soprano every night

4. 4
   verb

   To spin, turn, or revolve.

   He rotated in his chair to face me.

5. 5
   verb

   To advance through a sequence; to take turns.

   The nurses' shifts rotate each week.

6. 6
   verb

   To lift the nose during takeoff, just prior to liftoff.

   The aircraft rotates at sixty knots.

7. 7
   verb

   To spin, turn, or revolve something.

   Rotate the dial to the left.

8. 8
   verb

   To advance something through a sequence; to allocate or deploy in turns.

   I've always admired the Japanese point of view that holds it best not to have a great number of objects around at one time but to rotate possessions — and display them with great simplicity.

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin rotātus, perfect passive participle of rotō (“revolve”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from rota (“wheel”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix).