Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Rotary

Ro′ta-ry

,
Adj.
[L.
rota
a wheel. See
Roll
,
Verb.
, and cf.
barouche
,
Rodomontade
,
Roué
,
Round
,
Adj.
,
Rowel
.]
Turning, as a wheel on its axis; pertaining to, or resembling, the motion of a wheel on its axis; rotatory;
as,
rotary
motion
.
Rotary engine
,
steam engine in which the continuous rotation of the shaft is produced by the direct action of the steam upon rotating devices which serve as pistons, instead of being derived from a reciprocating motion, as in the ordinary engine; a steam turbine; – called also
rotatory engine
.
–
Rotary pump
,
a pump in which the fluid is impelled by rotating devices which take the place of reciprocating buckets or pistons.
–
Rotary shears
,
shears, as for cloth, metal, etc., in which revolving sharp-edged or sharp-cornered wheels do the cutting.
–
Rotary valve
,
a valve acting by continuous or partial rotation, as in the four-way cock.

Webster 1828 Edition

Rotary

RO'TARY

,
Adj.
[L. rota, a wheel. L. curro.]
Turning, as a wheel on its axis; as rotary motion.

Definition 2024

rotary

rotary

English

Adjective

rotary ‎(not comparable)

  1. Having or being capable of having rotation.
    A rotary engine revolves the heads rather than having pistons go back and forth.

Translations

Noun

rotary ‎(plural rotaries)

  1. (New England) A traffic circle.
  2. Usually with a capital initial, short for Rotary movement, an international club for community service.

Translations

Similar Results