gyratory
- noun
- /dʒɪˈreɪtəri/
- UK
:
rotonda
- I parked it at the curb outside Alexander's clinic, which was in a large post-modern block not far down from Hammersmith Gyratory.
Examples
-
Drivers often get confused when navigating the gyratory near the shopping center.
-
We were on Hammersmith Gyratory, deep in the shadow of the flyover.
Fiction book (1994) -
The new gyratory at the intersection has greatly improved traffic flow in the city.
-
During rush hour, the gyratory can become quite congested with vehicles trying to merge.
Synonyms
62
3.5
A road junction where traffic moves around a central island
8
3.4
A circular road junction where traffic moves around a central island
2
4.3
A circular road junction where traffic moves around a central island
2
2.8
A round road junction where cars go around a central island to enter or leave
How Big
Surface Forms
Morphology
gyratory = gyratory (semi-transparent) = gyr + atory
The noun is a converted use of the adjective 'gyratory', so the form itself is unchanged even though the traffic meaning is specialized.
Etymology
Gyratory for a large roundabout comes from Greek gyros meaning 'circle'. So a gyratory is literally a place where traffic goes round and round in one direction to keep cars moving.