revolution

rev•o•lu•tion

[[t]ˌrɛv əˈlu ʃən[/t]] n.

1) gov a complete and forcible overthrow and replacement of an established government or political system by the people governed

2) soc a sudden, complete, or radical change in something:

a revolution in church architecture; a social revolution caused by automation[/ex]

3)

a) a procedure or course, as if in a circuit, back to a starting point

b) a single turn of this kind

4)

a) mec a turning round or rotating, as on an axis

b) mec a moving in a circular or curving course, as about a central point

c) mec a single cycle in such a course

5) astron.

a) the orbiting of one heavenly body around another

b) (not in technical use) the rotation of a heavenly body on its axis

c) a single course of such movement

6) a cycle of events in time or in a recurring period of time

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Etymology: 1350–1400; ME revolucion < LL revolūtiō= L revolū-, var. s. of revolvere to roll back (see revolve) +-tiō -tion