oscillate
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Etymology
From Latin ōscillātus, perfect passive participle of Latin ōscillō (“swing”), from ōscillum (“a swing”), usually identified with ōscillum (“a little face or mask hung on a tree that sways with the wind”), diminutive of ōs (“mouth, face”). Doublet of osculate.
Pronunciation
Verb
oscillate (third-person singular simple present oscillates, present participle oscillating, simple past and past participle oscillated)
- (intransitive) To swing back and forth, especially if with a regular rhythm.
- A pendulum oscillates slower as it gets longer.
- (intransitive) To vacillate between conflicting opinions, etc.
- The mood for change oscillated from day to day.
- (intransitive) To vary above and below a mean value.
Synonyms
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
to swing back and forth, especially if with a regular rhythm
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See also
Further reading
- “oscillate”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
- “oscillate”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
- “oscillate”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.
Anagrams
Etymology 1
Verb
oscillate
- inflection of oscillare:
Etymology 2
Participle
oscillate f pl
Anagrams
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