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Oscillate vs Rotate - What's the difference?

oscillate | rotate |

In lang=en terms the difference between oscillate and rotate

is that oscillate is to vary above and below a mean value while rotate is to replace older materials or to place older materials in front of newer ones so that older ones get used first.

As verbs the difference between oscillate and rotate

is that oscillate is to swing back and forth, especially if with a regular rhythm while rotate is to spin, turn, or revolve.

As an adjective rotate is

having the parts spreading out like a wheel; wheel-shaped.

oscillate

English

Verb

(oscillat)
  • To swing back and forth, especially if with a regular rhythm.
  • A pendulum oscillates slower as it gets longer.
  • To vacillate between conflicting opinions, etc.
  • The mood for change oscillated from day to day.
  • To vary above and below a mean value.
  • Derived terms

    * oscillation * oscillator

    See also

    * undulate

    rotate

    English

    Verb

    (rotat)
  • to spin, turn, or revolve.
  • He rotated in his chair to face me.
  • to advance through a sequence; to take turns.
  • The nurses' shifts rotate each week.
  • (of aircraft) to lift the nose, just prior to takeoff.
  • The aircraft rotates at sixty knots.
  • to spin, turn, or revolve something.
  • Rotate the dial to the left.
  • to advance something through a sequence.
  • to replace older materials or to place older materials in front of newer ones so that older ones get used first.
  • The supermarket rotates the stock daily so that old foods don't sit around.
  • (of crops) to grow or plant in a certain order.
  • Synonyms

    * (to turn) revolve * (to make turn) circumvolve

    Derived terms

    * (l) * (l)

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Having the parts spreading out like a wheel; wheel-shaped.
  • a rotate''' spicule or scale; a '''rotate corolla
    English ergative verbs ----