rotation English · revision 8043

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1555|origins=la roto}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /rəʊˈteɪ.ʃən/, US /roʊˈteɪ.ʃən/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|rotatio|t=a turning about in a circle]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) from the past participle stem of [[m|la|roto|alt=rotāre|t=to turn, revolve, roll]] (see [[rotate]]),^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) from rota, wheel (see [[rotary]]).^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The action of turning round a centre: 1555 in the OED, about 1550 in MWU, the 1550s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In alchemy it was used earlier, in the late 15th century, for the transmutation of the four elements into one another.^(Etymonline) A recurring series or period is from 1610 (the 1610s),^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and regular succession in office or duties from 1656.^(OED 1989) The rotation of crops is from 1778.^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023) In crystallography, mathematics and physics, the operation of turning a system about an axis is from 1899.^(OED 1989) Word Origins notes that Latin rota also gave [[rotund]], [[rotunda]] and [[round]].^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * late 15th century – in alchemy.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1555 – turning round a centre.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1610 – recurrence.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1656 – succession in office.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1778 – crop rotation.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The act of turning round a centre or [[axis]], or one complete turn.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A regular cycle of events or of people taking turns: ''in rotation''.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 1989)

+ # The planned change of crops grown on a field from season to season.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''(mathematics)'' A turning of a figure or coordinate system about a point or axis.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[rotational]]

+ * [[mutarotation]]

+ * [[autorotation]]

+ * [[dextrorotation]]

+ * [[levorotation]]

+ * [[nonrotation]]

+ * [[crop rotation]]

+ * [[optical rotation]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[rotary]]

+ * [[rotate]]

+ * [[rotor]]

+ * [[rotund]]

+ * [[round]]

+ * [[roll]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ In Worcestershire dialect ''in rotation'' meant in order.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}