(n) a single complete turn (axial or orbital), Syn. revolution, gyration, Example:the plane made three rotations before it crashed; the revolution of the earth about the sun takes one year
(n) a planned recurrent sequence (of crops or personnel etc.), Example:crop rotation makes a balanced demand on the fertility of the soil; the manager had only four starting pitchers in his rotation
(adv) in a rotational manner, Example:the required influence lines are found by subjecting the model to small displacements horizontally, vertically and rotationally
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. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Any return or succesion in a series. [ 1913 Webster ]
Moment of rotation. See Moment of inertia, under Moment. -- Rotation in office, the practice of changing public officers at frequent intervals by discharges and substitutions. -- Rotation of crops, the practices of cultivating an orderly succession of different crops on the same land. [ 1913 Webster ]