revolve

present singular third person revolves · participle present revolving · participle past revolved · past revolved

1. archaictransitivePhysical movement.To bring back into a particular place or condition; to restore.First known use 15th c.
2. transitivePhysical movement.To cause (something) to turn around a central point.First known use 16th c.
3. intransitivePhysical movement.To orbit a central point (especially of a celestial body).First known use 17th c.

   The Earth revolves around the sun.

4. intransitivePhysical movement.To rotate around an axis.First known use 17th c.

   The Earth revolves once every twenty-four hours.

   1 more example

   It is never possible to settle down to the ordinary routine of life at sea until the screw begins to revolve. There is an hour or two, after the passengers have embarked, which is disquieting and fussy.

   1915, G[eorge] A. Birmingham [pseudonym; James Owen Hannay], chapter I, in Gossamer, New York, N.Y.: George H. Doran Company, →OCLC

5. intransitivePhysical movement.To move in order or sequence.First known use 17th c.

   The program revolves through all the queues before returning to the start.

6. archaictransitiveMental activity.To ponder on; to reflect repeatedly upon; to consider all aspects of.First known use 15th c.

   These are the difficulties which arise to me on revolving this scheme […].

   1748, [Samuel Richardson], “Letter LXXXII”, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volume (please specify |volume=I to VII), London: […] S[amuel] Richardson; [a]nd sold by John Osborn, […], →OCLC

   1 more example

   He sits silent, revolving many thoughts, at the foot of St. Edmund’s Shrine.

   1843 April, Thomas Carlyle, “chapter 6, Monk Samson”, in Past and Present, American edition, Boston, Mass.: Charles C[offin] Little and James Brown, published 1843, →OCLC, book II (The Ancient Monk)

7. obsoletetransitiveMental activity.To read through, to study (a book, author etc.).First known use 15th–19th c.

   This having heard, strait I again revolv’d / The Law and Prophets.

   1671, John Milton, “(please specify the page)”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC

plural revolves

1. entertainmentThe rotation of part of the scenery within a theatrical production.
2. entertainmentThe rotating section itself.

   […] a revolving stage, two-level platforms stage left and stage right, and a large bridge that connected the platforms midstage, twelve feet up off the revolve.

   2003, Gary Philip Cohen, The Community Theater Handbook, page 134

3. obsoleteA radical change; revolution.