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Oscillate

Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 4:28 pm
by skinem
os·cil·late

Pronunciation: \ˈä-sə-ˌlāt\
Function: intransitive verb
Inflected Form(s): os·cil·lat·ed; os·cil·lat·ing
Etymology: Latin oscillatus, past participle of oscillare to swing, from oscillum swing
Date: 1726
1 a: to swing backward and forward like a pendulum b: to move or travel back and forth between two points
2: to vary between opposing beliefs, feelings, or theories
3: to vary above and below a mean value
synonyms see swing
— os·cil·la·to·ry \ˈä-sə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē\ adjective

Not mentioned here, but my dad being and electronic engineer, growing up we always had the odd oscillator around as well.

Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 10:50 pm
by Slava
oscillation -1650s, from Fr. oscillation, from L. oscillationem (nom. oscillatio), pp. of oscillare "to swing," supposed to be from oscillum "little face," lit. "little mouth," a mask of open-mouthed Bacchus hung up in vineyards to swing in the breeze.
Okay, I give up, why?

Suggested long ago, I vote we give this one some good vibes and see if we can't get it treated by the Dr.