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Definition of "rotatory" [ro•ta•to•ry]

  • Of, relating to, causing, or characterized by rotation: a rotary muscle. (adjective)
  • Occurring or proceeding in alternation or succession. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "rotatory" in a sentence
  • "It will be seen by the shape of this, that it will fly up as easily as a ball when it is laid in the trap, for the striker has only to tap one end of it, and up it flies, making many a summerset as it rises; while it is performing this turn-over motion, which philosophers call the rotatory, the striker makes a blow at it and sends it whither he pleases."
  • "Wherever we can trace the law of periodicity we are strongly impressed with the idea of rotatory or orbitual motion."
  • "He intimates, however, that they were not interesting, and that it was a very good thing for him, mentally and morally, when his term of service expired -- or rather when he was removed from office by the operation of that wonderful "rotatory" system which his countrymen had invented for the administration of their affairs."