Gyrate

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /dʒaɪˈɹeɪt/

Definitions

1. To move in a circular or spiral motion, often with a twisting or rotating action of the body or hips
2. To move or rotate in a circular pathway, typically exhibiting a spiraling or twisting motion either of the body or its parts
3. To engage in a spinning or whirling motion, particularly involving the body or limbs in a twisting manner

Etymology: The verb "gyrate" is a back-formation: English speakers had the noun "gyration" first, and from it they carved out a verb by treating "-ation" as if it were the familiar "-ate" ending. The real root is the Greek "gûros", meaning a circle or ring, which passed into Latin as "gyrus" and then into Latin's verb "gyrō", "to turn in a circle." Old French took up that verb as "girer," and it reached Middle English as "giren," meaning to turn something away or set it revolving. Only later did "gyrate" appear, and it kept the sense of turning in circles. The word's Latin ancestor kept the circular motion at its heart, so the modern sense of spinning rapidly is simply that original idea pushed to full speed.

Synonyms: rotate, spin, twirl, whirl, revolve

Antonyms: stay, remain, stop, halt