The Collaborative International Dictionary
Rotary \Ro"ta*ry\, a. [L. rota a wheel. See Roll, v., and cf. barouche, Rodomontade, Rou['e], Round, a., Rowel.] Turning, as a wheel on its axis; pertaining to, or resembling, the motion of a wheel on its axis; rotatory; as, rotary motion.
Rotary engine, steam engine in which the continuous rotation of the shaft is produced by the direct action of the steam upon rotating devices which serve as pistons, instead of being derived from a reciprocating motion, as in the ordinary engine; a steam turbine; -- called also rotatory engine.
Rotary pump, a pump in which the fluid is impelled by rotating devices which take the place of reciprocating buckets or pistons.
Rotary shears, shears, as for cloth, metal, etc., in which revolving sharp-edged or sharp-cornered wheels do the cutting.
Rotary valve, a valve acting by continuous or partial rotation, as in the four-way cock.
Shears \Shears\, n. pl. [Formerly used also in the singular. See Shear, n.,
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] 1. A cutting instrument. Specifically:
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An instrument consisting of two blades, commonly with bevel edges, connected by a pivot, and working on both sides of the material to be cut, -- used for cutting cloth and other substances.
Fate urged the shears, and cut the sylph in twain.
--Pope. A similar instrument the blades of which are extensions of a curved spring, -- used for shearing sheep or skins.
A shearing machine; a blade, or a set of blades, working against a resisting edge.
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Anything in the form of shears. Specifically:
A pair of wings. [Obs.]
--Spenser.An apparatus for raising heavy weights, and especially for stepping and unstepping the lower masts of ships. It consists of two or more spars or pieces of timber, fastened together near the top, steadied by a guy or guys, and furnished with the necessary tackle.
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(Mach.) The bedpiece of a machine tool, upon which a table or slide rest is secured; as, the shears of a lathe or planer. See Illust. under Lathe.
Rotary shears. See under Rotary.