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Added 9 October 2026

oscillate

/ˈɑsɪleɪt/ verb

Latin root: ōscillātus First recorded: 1726 Wiktionary

verb Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about oscillate at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action.
He oscillates between accepting the new position and retirement
Move or swing from side to side regularly.
the needle on the meter was oscillating

Origin

First attested in 1726; borrowed from Latin ōscillātus, perfect passive participle of Latin ōscillō (“to swing”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from ōscillum (“a swing”), usually identified with ōscillum (“a little face or mask hung on a tree that sways with the wind”), diminutive of ōs (“mouth, face”). See also osculate.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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