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Revolve vs Rotate - What's the difference?

revolve | rotate |

Rotate is a synonym of revolve.



In intransitive terms the difference between revolve and rotate

is that revolve is to recur in cycles while rotate is to advance through a sequence; to take turns.

In transitive terms the difference between revolve and rotate

is that revolve is to ponder on, to reflect repeatedly upon, to consider all aspects of 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 an adjective rotate is

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

revolve

English

Verb

  • (label) To orbit a central point.
  • To turn on an axis.
  • *
  • It is never possible to settle down to the ordinary routine of life at sea until the screw begins to revolve . There is an hour or two, after the passengers have embarked, which is disquieting and fussy.
  • (label) To recur in cycles.
  • (label) To ponder on, to reflect repeatedly upon, to consider all aspects of.
  • * 1843 , (Thomas Carlyle), '', Bk.2, Ch.6, ''Monk Samson :
  • He sits silent, revolving many thoughts, at the foot of St. Edmund’s Shrine.

    Anagrams

    * ----

    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 ----