oscillate
oscillate
Definition
os·cil·late (äs′ə lāt′)
intransitive verb -·lat′ed, -·lat′·ing
- to swing or move regularly back and forth
- to be indecisive in purpose or opinion; vacillate
- Physics to vary regularly between maximum and minimum values, as an electric current
Etymology: < L oscillatus, pp. of oscillare, to swing < oscillum, a swing
transitive verb
to cause to oscillate
os′·cil·la·to′ry (-lə tôr′ē) adjective
oscillate
Synonyms
oscillate
v.
oscillate
Telecom Definition
Vary predictably, or rhythmically, between two extremes, usually within a set period of time. An alternating current (AC) waveform, for example, oscillates between maximum and minimum electrical values, which are positive voltage (+V) and negative voltage (
oscillate
Usage Examples
Object
- universe: The idea of an oscillating universe faces significant problems.
- fan: An oscillating fan blowing on the sides of the pots should help keep the root zone a bit cooler.
- column: Limpet uses the principle of an oscillating water column.
- motion: Once switched on, it provides a comforting oscillating motion, similar to ocean waves.
- reaction: In this way, they proved that oscillating reactions - like the renowned Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction - can also take place in multi-phase systems.
- field: In the case of light waves, this plane is taken to be the plane of the oscillating electric field.
Preposition: at
- frequency: This grading has the effect of creating an accelerating field within the base, which enables the device to oscillate at higher frequencies.
Preposition: between
- extreme: Writing of the Italian cities of his own day, the poet oscillated between extremes of optimism and gloom.
- position: Precession oscillates between the two positions in a period of about 22,000 years.
Modifying Another Word
- wildly: The bubbles, oscillating wildly, re-emit the energy in the form of tiny, focused light bursts.
- slowly: The heads oscillated slowly, left then right ( similar to a person shaking his head ).
- rapidly: The thrust curves of HyperTek motors reflect this - the instantaneous thrust level oscillates rapidly throughout the liquid portion of the burn.
- back: Should you split the difference and use 175, or simply oscillate back and forth between 170 and 180?
- also: The Brick House also oscillates between two very differently characteristic types of home.
- gently: To begin with, the Vauxhall oscillates gently with each firing stroke, so we bounce along as if striding on legs.
Followed by an intransitive particle
- up: The fundamental mode is given by and with and has It corresponds to the whole membrane oscillating up and down.
Followed by a transitive particle
- around: This causes the contour to oscillate around the true edge.
Preposition: in
- way: This means that, our agents oscillate in a periodic way, by matching their dissonant opinions.
- plane: Ordinary light consists of waves oscillating in all planes perpendicular to the direction of propagation ( Fig.
Preposition: with
- frequency: Numbers have a quality and oscillate with a cosmic frequency.
Browse dictionary entries near oscillate
- oscillation
- oscillator
- oscillators
- oscillogram
- oscillograph
- oscilloscope
- oscine
- oscitancy
- Osco-Umbrian
- osculant
