Search the Dictionary

resulting from, rotation; of the nature of, or characterized by, rotation; as, rotational velocity.

turning, as a wheel; rotary; rotational. This high rotative velocity of the sun must cause an equatorial rise of the solar atmosphere. Siemens. Rotative engine, a steam engine in which the reciprocating motion of the piston is transformed into a continuous rotary motion, as by means of a connecting rod, a working beam…

ter the earth in its annual revolution, and which become visible by coming with planetary velocity into the upper regions of the atmosphere. At certain periods, as on the 13th of November and 10th of August, they appear for a few hours in great numbers, apparently diverging from some point in the heavens, such displays…

the speed which she would have if the propelling instrument acted upon a solid; also, the velocity, relatively to still water, of the backward current of water produced by the propeller.

The act or state of moving swiftly; swiftness; velocity; rapidly; rate of motion; dispatch; as, the speed a horse or a vessel. Speed, to describe whose swiftness number fails. Milton.

Velocity of rotation about some specified axis. go for a spin take a spin, take a trip in a wheeled vehicle, usu. an automobile.

An instrument for ascertaining the velocity of the blood in a vessel.

A wheel used for measuring, by its motion when submerged, the velocity of flowing water; a current wheel.

is made to circulate round the central wheel on the shaft, communicating to this latter a velocity of revolution the double of its own. G. Francis. -- Sun angel (Zoöl.), a South American humming bird of the genus Heliangelos, noted for its beautiful colors and the brilliant luster of the feathers of its throat. -- Su…

Moving a great distance in a short time; moving with celerity or velocity; fleet; rapid; quick; speedy; prompt. My beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. James i. 19. Swift of dispatch and easy of access. Dryden. And bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 Pet. ii. 1.…

In a swift manner; with quick motion or velocity; fleetly. Wyclif.

The quality or state of being swift; speed; quickness; celerity; velocity; rapidity; as, the swiftness of a bird; the swiftness of a stream; swiftness of descent in a falling body; swiftness of thought, etc.

An instrument for measuring the velocity, or indicating changes in the velocity, of a moving body or substance. Specifically: --

ection of a tangent to the path of the body, its effect being to increase or diminish the velocity; -- distinguished from a normal force, which acts at right angles to the tangent and changes the direction of the motion without changing the velocity. -- Tangential stress. (Engin.) See Shear, n., 3.

An extensive current of wind, rushing with great velocity and violence, and commonly attended with rain, hail, or snow; a furious storm. [We] caught in a fiery tempest, shall be hurled, Each on his rock transfixed. Milton.

See the Note under Moraine. -- Terminal statue. See Terminus, n., 2 and 3. -- Terminal velocity. (a) The velocity acquired at the end of a body's motion. (b) The limit toward which the velocity of a body approaches, as of a body falling through the air.

r from flowing in the other direction. (b) (Naut.) A place where the tide runs with great velocity, as through a gate. -- Tide gauge, a gauge for showing the height of the tide; especially, a contrivance for registering the state of the tide continuously at every instant of time. Brande & C. -- Tide lock, a lock situ…

Motion in which all the points of the moving body have at any instant the same velocity and direction of motion; -- opposed to rotation.

he short arm of a lever, which, being let fall, raised the end of the long arm with great velocity, hurling stones with much force.

To revolve with velocity; to be whirled round rapidly.