An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
English-French-Persian

To move in a an orbit around another object. Compare with → rotate.

M.E. revolven, from L. revolvere "to turn, roll back," from → re- "back, again" + volvere "to roll."

Gardidan variants gaštan "to turn, to change," dialectal gel, gelidan, gellidan "to turn;" gardun "wheel; chariot;" (+ → ni-) navardidan, navard- "to twist; to fold; to stroll;" Mid.Pers. wardidan, walt- "to turn; twist;" Av. varət- "to turn, revolve;" cf. Skt. vart- "to turn, roll," vartate "it turns round, rolls;" L. vertere "to turn;" O.H.G. werden "to become;" PIE base *wert- "to turn, bend."