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   oscillate

   /ˈɒsɪleɪt/

   verb

   • 1. move or swing back and forth in a regular rhythm: "the grain pan near the front of the combine oscillates back and forth" Similar swingswayswing from side to sideswing back and forthswing backwards and forwardsswing to and frovibrateinformal:wigwag
   • ▪ vary or fluctuate between two states, limits, opinions, etc.: "he was oscillating between fear and bravery" Similar waverswingfluctuatealternatesee-sawveeryo-yoswaygo from one extreme to the othervaryvacillateteeterhoverinformal:wobbleblow hot and cold
   • 2. vary in magnitude or position in a regular manner about a central point.
   • ▪ (of a circuit or device) cause the electric current or voltage running through it to vary in magnitude or position in a regular manner about a central point.

   Word Origin early 18th century: from Latin oscillat- ‘swung’, from the verb oscillare.

   Derivatives

   • 1. oscillatory adjective

   Scrabble Points: 11

   • O

     1

   • S

     1

   • C

     3

   • I

     1

   • L

     1

   • L

     1

   • A

     1

   • T

     1

   • E

     1

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