Ro"ta*lite (?), n. [L. rota wheel + -lite.] (Paleon.) Any fossil
foraminifer of the genus Rotalia, abundant in the chalk formation. See
Illust. under Rhizopod.
Ro"ta*ry (?), a. [L. rota a wheel. See Roll, v., and cf. barouche,
Rodomontade, Roué, Round, a., Rowel.] Turning, as a wheel on its axis;
pertaining to, or resembling, the motion of a wheel on its axis;
rotatory; as, rotary motion.
Rotary engine, steam engine in which the continuous rotation of the
shaft is produced by the direct action of the steam upon rotating
devices which serve as pistons, instead of being derived from a
reciprocating motion, as in the ordinary engine; a steam turbine; --
called also rotatory engine. -- Rotary pump, a pump in which the fluid
is impelled by rotating devices which take the place of reciprocating
buckets or pistons. -- Rotary shears, shears, as for cloth, metal,
etc., in which revolving sharp-edged or sharp-cornered wheels do the
cutting. -- Rotary valve, a valve acting by continuous or partial
rotation, as in the four-way cock.
Ro"ta*scope (?), n. [L. rota a wheel + -scope.] Same as Gyroscope, 1.
Ro"tate (?), a. [L. rotatus, p. p. of rotare to turn round like a
wheel, fr. rota wheel. See Rotary, and cf. Roue.] Having the parts
spreading out like a wheel; wheel-shaped; as, a rotate spicule or
scale; a rotate corolla, i.e., a monopetalous corolla with a flattish
border, and no tube or a very short one.
Ro"tate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Rotated (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Rotating.] 1. To turn, as a wheel, round an axis; to revolve.
2. To perform any act, function, or operation in turn, to hold office
in turn; as, to rotate in office.
Ro"tate, v. i. 1. To cause to turn round or revolve, as a wheel around
an axle.
2. To cause to succeed in turn; esp., to cause to succeed some one, or
to be succeeded by some one, in office. [Colloq.] "Both, after a brief
service, were rotated out of office." Harper's Mag.
Ro"ta*ted (?), a. Turned round, as a wheel; also, wheel-shaped; rotate.
Ro*ta"tion (?), n. [L. rotatio: cf. F. rotation.] 1. The act of
turning, as a wheel or a solid body on its axis, as distinguished from
the progressive motion of a revolving round another body or a distant
point; thus, the daily turning of the earth on its axis is a rotation;
its annual motion round the sun is a revolution.