rotate

Everyday

1. To turn around a centre or a point; to spin: The Earth rotates once a day. tree →
2. (maths) To turn a shape around a fixed point by a certain angle. tree →
3. To take turns or change places in a regular order: Players rotate positions. tree →
4. (farming) To grow different crops in a field in different seasons. tree →

In the lessons

In maths lessons, rotate a shape 90° clockwise or anticlockwise about a point; the shape keeps its size. In science, Earth rotates on its axis, giving day and night. In PE, teams rotate positions; in safety, tyres are rotated. Phrases: «rotate clockwise», «rotate 90 degrees», «rotate about a point», «on a rotating basis».

Examples

• Rotate the triangle 90° clockwise. tree →
• The Earth rotates once every 24 hours. tree →
• A wheel rotates around its axle. tree →
• Players rotate every 10 minutes. tree →
• If a wheel rotates 3 times a second, how many turns in a minute? tree →
• Rotate the square a quarter turn. tree →
• Farmers rotate crops to keep the soil healthy. tree →

Note

Regular verb: rotated. Noun: rotation. A full rotation = 360°, half = 180°, quarter = 90°. UK says anticlockwise; US says counterclockwise. Rotate (spin on its own axis) ≠ revolve (go around something else).

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: Sefer Yetzirah describes the letters turning around like a wheel, forward for good and backward for evil in the way some commentators read it. In the primary lessons: In maths lessons, rotate a shape 90° clockwise or anticlockwise about a point; the shape keeps its size. In science, Earth rotates on its axis, giving day and night. In PE, teams rotate positions; in safety, tyres are rotated. Phrases: «rotate clockwise», «rotate 90 degrees», «rotate about a point», «on a rotating basis».

Examples

• If the sphere be rotated forward, good is implied, if in a retrograde manner evil is intended. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1887) tree →

Note

Regular verb: rotated. Noun: rotation. A full rotation = 360°, half = 180°, quarter = 90°. UK says anticlockwise; US says counterclockwise. Rotate (spin on its own axis) ≠ revolve (go around something else).