revolution 
There must he a strange dissolution of natural affection, 
a strange iinthankfulness for all that homes have given, 
. . . when each man would fain build to himself, and 
build for the little revolution of his own life only. 
Ruskin, Seven Lamps of Architecture, Memory, 3. 
Hence 4. A recurrent period or moment in 
time. [Rare.] 
Thither by harpy-footed furies haled, 
At certain revolutions all the damn'd 
Are brought. Milton, P. L., ii. 5U7. 
5. A total change of circumstances; a com- 
plete alteration in character, system, or condi- 
tions. 
Chapless, and knocked about the mazzard with a sex- 
ton's spade : here 's a line revolution, and we had the trick 
to see 't. Shale., Hamlet, v. i. 98. 
Religions, and languages, and forms of government, and 
usages of private life, and modes of thinking, all have un- 
dergone a succession of revolutions. 
Macaulay, Moore's Byron. 
Specifically 6. A radical change in social or 
governmental conditions ; the overthrow of an 
established political system, generally accom- 
panied by far-reaching social changes. The term 
Revolution, in English history, is applied distinctively to 
the convulsion by which James II. was driven from the 
throne in 1688. In American history it is applied to the 
war of independence. See below. [In this sense the word 
is sometimes used adjectively.] 
The elections . . . generally fell upon men of revolution 
principles. Smollett, Hist. Eng., i. 0. 
The revolution, as it is called, produced no other changes 
than those which were necessarily caused by the declara- 
tion of independence. Calhoun, Works, I. 189. 
A state of society in which revolution is always imminent 
is disastrous alike to moral, political, and material inter- 
ests. Lecky, Eng. in 18th Cent., ii. 
7. The act of rolling or moving back ; a return 
to a point previously occupied. 
Fear 
Comes thundering back with dreadful revolution 
On my defenceless head. Milton, P. L, x. 815. 
8f. The act of revolving or turning to and fro 
in the mind ; consideration ; hence, open delib- 
eration; discussion. 
But, Sir, I pray you, howe some ever my maister reken- 
eth with any of his servaunts, bring not the matierin rev- 
olution in the open Courte. Paston Letters, I. 388. 
9. The winding or turning of a spiral about its 
axis, as a spiral of a shell about the columella; 
one of the coils or whorls thus produced ; a volu- 
tion ; a turn American Ee volution, the series of 
movements by which the thirteen American colonies of 
Great Britain revolted against the mother country, and 
asserted and maintained their independence. Hostilities 
began in 1775, independence was declared in 1776, and the 
help of France was formally secured in 1778. The war was 
practically ended by the surrender of the chief British army 
at Yorktown in 1781, and the independence of the United 
States was recognized by treaty of peace in 1783. Anoma- 
listic revolution. See anomalistic. English Revolu- 
tion, the movements by which James II. was forced to leave 
England, and a purer constitutional government was se- 
cured through the aid of William of Orange, who landed 
with an Anglo-Dutch army in November, 1688. In 1689 
William and Mary were proclaimed constitutional sover- 
eigns, and Parliament passed the Bill of Rights. French 
Revolution, the series of movements which brought about 
the downfall of the old absolute monarchy in France, the 
establishment of the republic, and the abolition of many 
abuses. The States General assembled in May, 1789, and 
the Third Estate at once took the lead. The Bastille was 
stormed by the people, and in the sameyearthe Constituent 
Assembly overthrew feudal privileges and transferred ec- 
clesiastical property to the state. Abolition of titles and of 
right of primogeniture, and other reforms, were effected in 
1790. The next year a constitution was adopted and the 
Constituent was succeeded by the Legislative Assembly. 
In 1792 a coalition of nations was formed against France, 
the royal family was imprisoned, and in September the Con- 
vention replaced the Legislative Assembly and proclaimed 
the republic. Louis XVI. was executed in 1793, and the 
Reign of Terror followed in 1793-4 ; royalist risings were 
suppressed, and the foreign wars successfully prosecuted. 
The revolutionary period may be regarded as ending with 
the establishmentof the Directory in 1795, or as extending 
to the founding of the Consulate in 1799, or even later. 
Other French revolutions in 1830, 1848, and 1870 resulted 
respectively in the overthrow of the Bourbon monarchy of 
the Restoration, of the monarchy of Louis Philippe, and of 
the Second Empire. Pole Of revolution. See poZeS. 
Revolution-indicator. Same as operanieter. Solid of 
revolution, a solid containing all the points traversed by 
a plane figure in making a revolution round an axis in its 
plane, and containing no others. The ellipsoid, parabo- 
loid, hyperboloid, etc., of revolution are examples. = Syn. 
6. See insurrection. 
revolutionary (rev-o-lu'shon-a-ri), a. and n. 
[= F. revolutionnaire = Sp. Pg. rerolucionario 
= It. rirolu:i(ni(irit>; as revolution + -an/.] I. 
a. 1. Pertaining to a revolution in govern- 
ment, or [cjj.] to any movement or crisis 
known as the Revolution: as, a revolutionary 
war; Revolutionary heroes; the Revolutionary 
epoch in American history. 
In considering the policy to be adopted for suppressing 
the insurrection, I have been anxious and careful that the 
inevitable conflict for this purpose shall not degenerate 
into a violent and remorseless revolutionary struggle. 
Lincoln, in Raymond, p. 176. 
5143 
2. Tending to produce revolution ; subversive 
of established codes or systems : as, revolution- 
ary measures; revolutionary doctrines. 
It is much less a reasoning conviction than unreason- 
ing sentiments of attachment that enable Governments 
to bear the strain of occasional maladministration, revo- 
lutionary panics, and seasons of calamity. 
Lecky, Eng. in 18th Cent, il. 
Revolutionary calendar. See republican calendar, 
under calendar. Revolutionary tribunal. See tribu- 
nal. 
II. . ! pi. revolutionaries (-riz). A revolu- 
tionist. 
Dumfries was a Tory town, and could not tolerate a 
revolutionary. J. Wilson. 
It is necessary for every student of history to know 
what manner of men they are who become reooitrfionaries, 
and what causes drive them to revolution. 
Kingsley, Alton Locke, Pref. (1862). (Davies.) 
revolutioner (rev-o-lu'shon-er), . [< revolu- 
tion + -eft. Cf. revolutionary."] Same as revo- 
lutionary. 
The people were divided into three parties, namely, the 
Williamites, the Jacobites, and the discontented Revolu- 
tioners. Smollett, Hist. Eng., i. 4. 
revolutionise, v. See revolutionize. 
revolutionism (rev-6-lu'shon-izm), n. [< rev- 
olution + -ism.] Revolutionary principles. 
North Brit. Rev. (Imp. Diet.) 
revolutionist (rev-o-lu'shqu-ist), n. [< revo- 
lution + -int.] One who desires or endeavors 
to effect a social or political revolution ; one 
who takes part in a revolution. 
If all revolutionists were not proof against all caution, I 
should recommend it to their consideration that no per- 
sons were ever known in history, either sacred or pro- 
fane, to vex the sepulchre. Burke. 
Many foreign revolutionists out of work added to the 
general misunderstanding their contribution of broken 
English in every most ingenious form of fracture. 
Lowell, Study Windows, p. 194. 
revolutionize (rev-o-lu'shon-iz), v.; pret. and 
pp. revolutionized, ppr. revolutionizing. [< rev- 
olution + -ize."] I. trans. 1. To bring about a 
revolution in : effect a change in the political 
constitution of : as, to revolutionize a govern- 
ment. 
Who, in his turn, was sure my father plann'd 
To revolutionise his native land. 
Crabbe, Tales of the Hall, x. 
2. To alter completely ; effect a radical change 
in. 
We need this [absolute religion] to heal the vices of 
modern society, to revolutionize this modern feudalism of 
gold. Theodore Parker, Ten Sermons, v. 
I even think that their [the rams'] employment will go 
as far to revolutionize the conditions of naval warfare as 
has the introduction of breech-loading guns and rifles 
those of fighting ashore. If. A. Rev., CXXXIX. 434. 
II. intrans. To undergo a revolution ; be- 
come completely altered in social or political 
respects. 
Germany is by nature too thorough to be able to revo- 
lutionize without revolutionizing from a fundamental prin- 
ciple, and following that principle to its utmost limits. 
Marx, quoted in Rae's Contemporary Socialism, p. 124. 
Also spelled revolutionise. 
revolutive (rev'o-lu-tiv), a. [< F. revolutif (in 
sense 2); as revolute + -ive.] 1. Turning over; 
revolving; cogitating. 
Being so concerned with the inquisitive and revolutive 
soul of man. Feltham, Letters, xvii. (Latham.) 
2. In bot., same as revolute, or sometimes re- 
stricted to the case of vernation and estivation. 
revolvable (re-vol'va-bl), a. [< rerolre + 
-able.] Capable of being revolved. 
The upper cap of the mill is revolvable. Nature, XL. 543. 
revolve (re-volv'), v.; pret. and pp. revolved, 
ppr. revolving. [< ME. revoluen, < OF. revolver 
= Sp. Pg. revolver, stir, = It. rivolvere, < L. re- 
volvere, roll back, revolve, < re-, back, + volvere, 
roll: see voluble, volve. Cf. convolve, devolve, 
evolve, involve.] I. intrans. 1. To turner roll 
about on an axis ; rotate. 
Beware 
Lest, where you seek the common love of these, 
The common hate with the revolving wheel 
Should drag you down. Tennyson, Princess, vi. 
2. To move about a center; circle; move in a 
curved path ; follow such a course as to come 
round again to a former place : as, the planets 
revolve about the sun. 
In the same circle we revolve. Tennyson, Two Voices. 
Minds roll in paths like planets ; they revolve, 
This in a larger, that a narrower ring, 
But round they come at last to that same phase. 
0. W. Holmes, Master and Scholar. 
3. To pass through periodic changes; return 
or recur at regular intervals ; hence, to come 
around in process of time. 
revolver 
In the course of one revolving moon 
Was chymist, fiddler, statesman, and buffoon. 
l>ryden, Absalom and Achitophel, i. 549 
To mute and to material things 
New life rewiring summer brings. 
Scott, Marmion, i. , Int. 
4. To pass to and fro in the mind ; be revolved 
or pondered. 
Much of this nature revolved in my mind, thrown in by 
the enemy to discourage and cast me down. 
T. Ettwod, Life (ed. Howells), p. 205. 
5. To revolve ideas in the mind; dwell, as upon 
a fixed idea ; meditate ; ponder. 
If this [letter] fall into thy hand, revolve. 
Shak., 1. N., ii. 6. 155. 
Still 
My mother went revolving on the word. 
Tennyson, Princess, iii. 
6f. To return ; devolve again. 
On the desertion of an appeal, the judgment does, ipso 
jure, revolve to the judge a quo. Aylife, Parergon. 
II. trans. 1. To turn or cause to roll round, 
as upon an axis. 
Then in the east her turn she [the moon] shines. 
Revolved on heaven's great axle. Milton, P. L., vii. 381. 
2. To cause to move in a circular course or 
orbit : as, to revolve the planets in an orrery. 
If the diurnal motion of the air 
Revolves the planets in their destined sphere, 
How are the secondary orbs impelled ? 
How are the moons from falling headlong held? 
Chatterton, To Rev. Mr. Catcott. 
3. To turn over and over in the mind; ponder; 
meditate on; consider. 
The ancient authors, both in divinity and in humanity, 
which had long time slept in libraries, began generally to 
be read and revolved. 
Bacon, Advancement of Learning, i. 39. 
Long stood Sir Bedivere, 
Revolving many memories. 
Tennyson, Morte d'Arthur. 
4f. To turn over the pages of; look through; 
search. 
I remember, on a day I revolved the registers in the 
capital, I red a right meruailous thyng. Golden Book, xii. 
Straight I again revolved 
The law and prophets, searching what was writ 
Concerning the Messiah. Milton, P. R., i. 259. 
revolvet (re-volv'), n. [< revolve, v.~\ 1. A 
revolution ; a radical change in political or 
social affairs. 
In all revolves and turns of state 
Decreed by (what dee call him) fate. 
D'Urfey, Colin's Walk, i. (Davies.) 
2. A thought; a purpose or intention. 
When Midelton saw Grinuill's hie revolve, 
Past hope, past thought, past reach of all aspire, 
Once more to moue him flie, he doth resolue. 
G. Markham, Sir R. Grinuile, p. 59. (Davies.) 
revolved (re-volvd'), a. [< revolve + -<J 2 .] In 
zool., same as revolute. 
revolvement (re-volv'ment), n. [= Sp. revolvi- 
miento = Pg. rei'olvimenib ; as revolve + -merit."] 
The act of revolving or turning over, as in the 
mind; reflection. Worcester. 
revolvency (re-vol'ven-si), n. [< L. revol- 
ven(t-)s, ppr. of revolvere, revolve: see revolve.'] 
The state, act, or principle of revolving; revo- 
lution. 
Its own revolvency upholds the world. 
Cowper, Task, i. 372. 
revolver (re- vol'ver), . [< revolve + -cr 1 .] 1. 
One who or that which revolves. 2. Specifical- 
Fig. i. Army Revolver, 45-caliber. a, barrel; *,frame; (-.cylinder; 
d, center-pin ; e , guard ; f, back-strap ; ?, hammer ; ft, mainspring ; 
i, hammer-roll and hammer-rivet ; j, hammer-screw ; k, hammer-cam ; 
I, hand and hand-spring; m, stop-bolt and stop-bolt screw; ft, trig- 
ger ; o, center-pin bushing ; p. firing-pin and firing-pin rivet ; g, ejector- 
rod and spring; r, ejector-head; s, ejector-tube screw; t, guard-screw: 
14, sear and stop-bolt spring combined ; v, back-strap screw ; tf, main- 
spring-screw; x, front sight; y, center-pin-catch screw; a-, ejector-tube. 
By removing the center-pin rf, the cylinder c may be taken out of the 
frame b for cleaning ana reloading. In cocking the hand and hand- 
roll / revolve the cylinder through an arc limited by the stop, stop- 
bolt, and stop-bolt spring, bringing another cartridge into position for 
firing. The cylinder has six chambers. The stock (not shown) is fas- 
tened to the sides of the frame by screws. The recoil-plate is shown 
at*'. 
Fig. 2. Partial Longitudinal Section of Common Revolver, a, bar- 
rel; S, frame ; c, joint-pivot screw ; d, cylinder-catch ; d ', cylinder-catch- 
cam screw; tf, cylinder-catch screw; e, barrel-catch ; /, cylinder; 
jr, extractor ; f ', extractor-stud ; h, extractor-stem with colled ex- 
tractor-spring ; . steady-pin ; j, friction-collar ; *, lifter ; /, pawl and 
pawl-pin ; rn, pawl-spring ; , hammer ; o, mainspring ; /, main- 
spring-swivel ; q, strain-screw ; r, hammer-stud; /, trigger ; u, recoil- 
plate; v, stop, stop-pin, and stop-spring; TV, hand, hand-spring, and 
nand-spring pin ; x, guard ; y, guard-screw ; ^, front sight. 
