Added 9 October 2026
rotor
/ˈɹəʊ.tə/ noun
Coined: a coined word, by William Kingdon Clifford Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about rotor at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- A rotating part of a mechanical device; for example, in an electric motor, generator, alternator, or pump. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller} In a disc brake, the metal disc attached to the wheel hub. The wing of a helicopter or other rotary wing aircraft (e.g., heli-type drone).
- In a disc brake, the metal disc attached to the wheel hub.
- The wing of a helicopter or other rotary wing aircraft (e.g., heli-type drone).
Origin
From an irregular clipping of rotator, originally in mathematics, coined by English mathematician and philosopher William Kingdon Clifford based on vector, see quotations. Doublet of rota and ruote.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)