oscillate Hear it!

oscillate Definition

os·cil·late (äsə lāt′)

intransitive verb -·lat′ed, -·lat′·ing

  1. to swing or move regularly back and forth
  2. to be indecisive in purpose or opinion; vacillate
  3. 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

oscillate Related Forms
os·cil·la·to′ry (-lə tôr′ē) adjective
oscillate Synonyms

oscillate

v.

  1. To swing

    palpitate, vibrate, sway; see swing 1, wave 3, waver.

  2. To fluctuate

    be unsteady, waver, vacillate; see change 4. See syn. study at swing.

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

  1. Osceola
  2. Oscar II
  3. Oscar
  4. Oscan
  5. Osborne
  6. Osborn
  7. OSB
  8. Osaka
  9. Osage orange
  10. Osage
  1. oscillation
  2. oscillator
  3. oscillators
  4. oscillogram
  5. oscillograph
  6. oscilloscope
  7. oscine
  8. oscitancy
  9. Osco-Umbrian
  10. osculant