n.
- the central point, pin, or shaft on which a mechanism turns or oscillates.
- a person or thing playing a central part in an activity or organization.
▸
(also pivotman)
chiefly N. Amer. a player in a central position in a team sport.
- the person or position from which a body of troops takes its reference point when moving or changing course.
v.
(pivots, pivoting, pivoted)
- turn on or as if on a pivot.
▸provide with or fix on a pivot.
-
(pivot on)
depend on.
Derivative
- pivotability n.
- pivotable adj.
Etymology
ME: from Fr., prob. from dial. pue ‘tooth of a comb’ and Sp. pu(y)a ‘point’.