To turn around a central axis; to take turns in a regular sequence; to move in a circular motion. Distinguished from revolve by focusing on spinning motion rather than orbital movement.
From Latin 'rotatus' (past participle of 'rotare'), meaning 'to turn like a wheel' (from 'rota' meaning 'wheel'). The word entered English in the 17th century, initially used in astronomy and mechanics before extending to scheduling and job assignments.
The Latin 'rota' (wheel) gives us 'rotary', 'rotor', and even 'rote' (mechanical repetition like a wheel going round)! Interestingly, 'rotate' originally meant spinning in place like a wheel, while 'revolve' meant rolling like a wheel moving forward—though we often use them interchangeably now.
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