revolve
/ri'vɔlv/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb (transitive):
- To cause something to move in a circular path around a central point or axis.
- To consider or think about something carefully and repeatedly.
Verb (intransitive):
- To move in a circular or curving course or orbit around a central point.
- To rotate or spin around a central axis.
Usage
- As a transitive verb (to cause to move in a circle): The action is done to an object.
- As an intransitive verb (to move in a circle itself): The subject performs the action.
- As a verb meaning "to consider": Typically used with an object like a problem or idea.
Examples
- Transitive verb (causing motion):
- She revolved the globe slowly with her finger.
- The mechanic revolved the wheel to check for damage.
- Intransitive verb (moving itself):
- The Earth revolves around the Sun.
- The ceiling fan revolved slowly, providing a gentle breeze.
- Verb (meaning to consider):
- He revolved the complex problem in his mind all night.
- I keep revolving her words, trying to understand their meaning.
Advanced Usage
- "Revolve around": This is the most common phrasal construction. It means to have something as a central theme, focus, or point of orbit.
- The discussion revolved around the main ethical issue. (The discussion focused on it.)
- A satellite revolves around a planet. (The satellite orbits the planet.)
- Used in technical and astronomical contexts to describe orbital motion, distinguishing it from simple rotation (which is often "rotate").
Variants and Related Words
- Revolution (n): A single complete turn or cycle; a fundamental change, often in a political or social system.
- The revolution of the Earth around the Sun takes one year.
- Revolver (n): A type of pistol with a revolving cylinder holding multiple bullets.
- Revolving (adj): Describing something that turns or operates in a cycle.
- a revolving door; a revolving credit account.
Synonyms
- Orbit (v): To move in a path around a celestial body. (More specific to astronomy.)
- Rotate (v): To turn or spin around a central point located within the object itself. (Often used interchangeably with "revolve," but in precise terms, an object on its own axis and around another point.)
- Circle (v): To move in a circular path around something.
- Ponder (v): To think about deeply. (Synonym for the "consider" meaning.)
Phrasal Verbs
- Revolve around: As described in Advanced Usage, this is the primary and essential phrasal verb for this word.
- Her whole world revolves around her new baby.
- The plot of the movie revolves around a stolen diamond.
Related Idioms
- "To make one's head revolve": An expression meaning to cause confusion or dizziness, similar to "make one's head spin."
- The complicated instructions made my head revolve.
Verb
- cause to move by turning over or in a circular manner of as if on an axis
- She rolled the ball
- They rolled their eyes at his words
- move in an orbit
- The moon orbits around the Earth
- The planets are orbiting the sun
- electrons orbit the nucleus
- turn on or around an axis or a center
- The Earth revolves around the Sun
- The lamb roast rotates on a spit over the fire