Rotate
/ˈroʊ.teɪt/noun
To move or turn around a central point or axis.
Did you know?Rotate comes from Latin rota, meaning “wheel,” and the same root helped shape words for wheels, rolling, and revolution—language literally built its motion around the turning wheel.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ret-
“to run, roll, or turn”
Latin
Latin
rota
“wheel”
Late Latin
Latin
rotātus
“turned like a wheel”
16th Century
English
rotate
“to turn around an axis or center”
Modern English
English
rotate
“to move in a circular motion or take turns in sequence”