rotatory
Americanadjective
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pertaining to or of the nature of rotation.
rotatory motion.
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rotating, as an object.
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passing or following in rotation or succession.
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causing rotation, as a muscle.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of rotatory
1745–55; < New Latin rotātōrius, equivalent to Latin rotā ( re ) ( see rotate 1) + -tōrius -tory 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
So, when it comes to rotating players, is it really any wonder that managers are increasingly choosing to use domestic cup competitions as rotatory playgrounds?
From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026
Owing to the rotatory motion of the globe and also to the curve of the coasts, the Stream follows a constant direction to the north-east.
From The Strand Magazine, Volume XXVII, Issue 160, April, 1904 by Various
They exhibit rotatory or oscillatory movements, especially observed when a drop of water is added to the fluid.
From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various
The atmosphere of the planet forms an integral portion of its material, partakes of its rotatory motion, and is bound to the solid core by the mutual gravitative forces.
From The Energy System of Matter A Deduction from Terrestrial Energy Phenomena by Weir, James
I’m all right,” replied he, wishing that everyone and everything were not so nebulous and rotatory.
From Cupid in Africa by Wren, P. C.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
