definitions

rotatory

[ roh-tuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]
/ ˈroʊ təˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR rotatory ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

pertaining to or of the nature of rotation: rotatory motion.
rotating, as an object.
passing or following in rotation or succession.
causing rotation, as a muscle.

RELATED WORDS

whirling, spinning, whirligig, revolving, vertiginous, gyral, gyratory, rotating, rotational, rotary, rotative, vortical, vorticose

Nearby words

rotational quantum number, rotative, rotator, rotator cuff, rotator muscle, rotatory, rotatory nystagmus, rotavator, rotavirus, rotblat, rote

Origin of rotatory

1745–55; < New Latin rotātōrius, equivalent to Latin rotā(re) (see rotate1) + -tōrius -tory1

Related forms

un·ro·ta·to·ry, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for rotatory

British Dictionary definitions for rotatory

rotatory

less commonly rotative (ˈrəʊtətɪv)

/ (ˈrəʊtətərɪ, -trɪ) /

adjective

of, relating to, possessing, or causing rotation

Derived Forms

rotatively, adverb
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

Medicine definitions for rotatory

rotatory

[ rō′tə-tôr′ē ]

adj.

Of, relating to, causing, or characterized by rotation.
Occurring or proceeding in alternation or succession.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.