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revolving

[ri-vol-ving]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR revolving ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

that revolves: a revolving table top.
Machinery. noting or pertaining to a radial engine whose cylinders revolve around a stationary crankshaft, as the engine of a helicopter.

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RELATED WORDS

orbiting, whirling, spinning, reeling, rolling, turning, circling, pirouetting, rotary, gyral, gyratory, rotational, rotative, rotatory, vortical, vorticose, vertiginous

Origin of revolving

First recorded in 1690–1700; revolve + -ing2
Related formsre·volv·ing·ly, adverbnon·re·volv·ing, adjectiveun·re·volv·ing, adjective

revolve

[ri-volv]

verb (used without object), re·volved, re·volv·ing.

to move in a circular or curving course or orbit: The earth revolves around the sun.
to turn around or rotate, as on an axis: The wheel revolves slowly.
to proceed or occur in a round or cycle; come around again in the process of time; recur.
to be revolved in the mind.
to focus or center on.

verb (used with object), re·volved, re·volv·ing.

to cause to turn around, as on an axis.
to cause to move in a circular or curving course, as about a central point.
to think about; consider.

Origin of revolve

1350–1400; Middle English revolven < Latin revolvere to roll back, equivalent to re- re- + volvere to roll, turn round
Related formsre·volv·a·ble, adjectivere·volv·a·bly, adverbun·re·volved, adjective
Can be confusedrevolve rotate1

Synonyms for revolve

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR revolve ON THESAURUS.COM
1. orbit, circle. 2. See turn. 8. ponder, study.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for revolving

Contemporary Examples of revolving

Historical Examples of revolving

British Dictionary definitions for revolving

revolving

adjective

moving around a central axisrevolving door
(of a fund) constantly added to from income from its investments to offset outgoing payments
(of a letter of credit, load, etc) available to be repeatedly drawn on by the beneficiary provided that a specified amount is never exceeded
Derived Formsrevolvingly, adverb

revolve

verb

to move or cause to move around a centre or axis; rotate
(intr) to occur periodically or in cycles
to consider or be considered
(intr ; foll by around or about) to be centred or focused (upon)Juliet's thoughts revolved around Romeo

noun

theatre a circular section of a stage that can be rotated by electric power to provide a scene change
Derived Formsrevolvable, adjectiverevolvably, adverb

Word Origin for revolve

C14: from Latin revolvere, from re- + volvere to roll, wind
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for revolving
adj.

1690s, present participle adjective from revolve (v.). Revolving door attested from 1856 in industrial processes, 1896 in buildings.

revolve

v.

late 14c., "to change direction, bend around, turn (the eyes) back," from Old French revolver and directly from Latin revolvere "roll back, unroll, unwind; happen again, return; go over, repeat," from re- "back, again" (see re-) + volvere "to roll" (see volvox). In 15c., "to turn over (in the mind or heart), meditate." Meaning "travel around a central point" first recorded 1660s (earlier "cause to travel in an orbit around a central point," mid-15c.). Related: Revolved; revolving.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper