oscillate

views updated

os·cil·late / ˈäsəˌlāt/ • v. [intr.] 1. move or swing back and forth at a regular speed: a pendulum oscillates about its lowest point. ∎  fig. waver between extremes of opinion, action, or quality: he was oscillating between fear and bravery.2. Physics vary in magnitude or position in a regular manner around a central point. ∎  (of a circuit or device) cause the electric current or voltage running through it to behave in this way.DERIVATIVES: os·cil·la·tion / ˌäsəˈlāshən/ n.os·cil·la·to·ry / əˈsiləˌtôrē/ adj.

More From encyclopedia.com