ROTARY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does rotary mean? 

• ROTARY (noun)
  The noun ROTARY has 2 senses:

1. a road junction at which traffic streams circularly around a central island

2. electrical converter consisting of a synchronous machine that converts alternating to direct current or vice versa

  Familiarity information: ROTARY used as a noun is rare.

• ROTARY (adjective)
  The adjective ROTARY has 2 senses:

1. relating to or characterized by rotation

2. describing a circle; moving in a circle

  Familiarity information: ROTARY used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ROTARY (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A road junction at which traffic streams circularly around a central island

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

circle; rotary; roundabout; traffic circle

Context example:

the accident blocked all traffic at the rotary

Hypernyms ("rotary" is a kind of...):

junction (the place where two or more things come together)

Holonyms ("rotary" is a part of...):

road; route (an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Electrical converter consisting of a synchronous machine that converts alternating to direct current or vice versa

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

rotary; rotary converter; synchronous converter

Hypernyms ("rotary" is a kind of...):

electrical converter (converter that converts alternating current into direct current or vice versa)

• ROTARY (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Relating to or characterized by rotation

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

rotary dial

Pertainym:

rotation (a single complete turn (axial or orbital))

Sense 2

Meaning:

Describing a circle; moving in a circle

Synonyms:

circular; orbitual; rotary

Context example:

the circular motion of the wheel

Similar:

cyclic; cyclical (recurring in cycles)

 Context examples 

The use of a rotary drum, belt, or other moving filter to purify a slurry.

(Moving Filter Filtration, NCI Thesaurus)

He was entranced by illumination, and did not hear the Bughouse, whispered by Jim, nor see the anxiety on his sister's face, nor notice the rotary motion of Bernard Higginbotham's finger, whereby he imparted the suggestion of wheels revolving in his brother-in-law's head.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)