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Glite Dictionary
to librate

to librate

9.9
Move back and forth a little before stopping
  • verb
  • /ˈlaɪˌbreɪt/
translation icon : oscilar
  • As the pendulum slowed, it began to librate before settling to a stop.

Examples

  • The bell continued to librate gently after being struck.

  • The hanging sign would librate in the wind before finally becoming still.

  • The pendulum began to librate slowly.

  • Can you see the fan librating back and forth?

  • As the pendulum slowed, it began to librate before settling to a stop.

  • The bell continued to librate gently after being struck.

  • The hanging sign would librate in the wind before finally becoming still.

Synonyms

to shake
vsto librate
916 1.0

To move quickly from side to side or up and down

is more about a slowing oscillation that finishes by stopping
to vibrate
vsto librate
91 2.8

To make very small, quick moves back and forth

is slower and often decays into a final stop rather than staying rapid
to wiggle
vsto librate
89 1.0

To move with small, quick movements from side to side or up and down

is a broader swinging motion that usually slows before stopping
to sway
vsto librate
77 2.4

To move slowly from side to side in a gentle rhythm

is similar but stresses a final pause or stop after the motion
to wobble
vsto librate
40 3.8

To move or shake unsteadily from side to side

is more regular and suggests a final settling rather than ongoing irregularity
to flutter
vsto librate
35 3.5

To move quickly and lightly back and forth, like wings or leaves

is less light and often slows until it stops
to pulsate
vsto librate
13 4.1

To beat or move in a steady rhythm

is about swinging motion and focuses on ending by coming to rest
to nod
vsto librate
12 1.1

Move gently up and down, like flowers in the wind

is similar but implies the motion slows and comes to a stop
to waver
vsto librate
12 4.8

To move or shake in a slight, unsteady way

is a smoother back and forth movement that often stops afterward
to oscillate
vsto librate
8 6.5

Move back and forth in a steady rhythm like a fan

is similar but implies slowing before coming to a complete stop
to hunt
vsto librate
  • Specialized
2 8.8

To move back and forth instead of staying steady

is like that motion but often ends by slowing to a stop
to shimmy
vsto librate
1 7.4

To shake slightly with quick movements

is a fuller back and forth swing that often ends by stopping
to flitter
vsto librate
1 6.9

To move quickly and lightly, like a small bird or moth

is a steadier oscillation that typically ends by settling
to vacillate
vsto librate
1 8.4

To move slowly back and forth like a boat or kite

is similar but highlights a diminishing swing that stops finally
to wabble
vsto librate
8.9

To move unsteadily from side to side

is steadier in rhythm and ends by coming to rest

Antonyms

to stabilize
  • US
75 4.3

To become steady and stop changing

How Much

to oscillate
8 6.5
to shake
916 1.0
to vibrate
91 2.8
to librate
9.9
tremble
23 2.7
to quiver
47 4.5

Surface Forms

librate infinitive
librated past
librated past participle
librating present participle
librates third person singular

Morphology

librate = libra (opaque) = libr + ate

The connection between 'libra' (scales) and 'librate' (oscillate) is not transparent to learners without specialized knowledge.

Etymology

Librate comes from the Latin root libra, which means 'balance' or 'scales' and is the same root as the star sign Libra. Imagine a small balance that rocks back and forth and then settles, and you have the picture of librate — to swing or wobble lightly before coming to rest.