oscillate Hear it!

oscillate definition

os·cil·late (äs′ə lāt′)

intransitive verb oscillated -·lat′ed, oscillating -·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

Related Forms:

  • oscillatory os′·cil·la·to′ry (-lə tôr′ē) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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