What do you call circles moving in the opposite direction?

mr ploppy · 06-01-2012, 03:56 PM

What do you call it when something moves in circles in opposite directions? Like when you draw circles in the air with your fingers, one going clockwise, the other anticlockwise. But just a general word, not a finger-specific one.

I was thinking a concentric movement, but that doesn't seem to be right. Counter revolutionary?

Iznogood · 06-01-2012, 04:06 PM

clockwise and counter clockwise?

Penforhire · 06-01-2012, 04:09 PM

I'm thinking counter-rotating. Funny, there should be a simple word for that motion as seen in simple gears, 3-roll-mills, ink rollers, etcetera. If the circles touch they might be considered meshed.

Iznogood · 06-01-2012, 04:27 PM

Ah, you mean two circular movements at the same time, in opposite direction, without telling which is clockwise and which is counter clockwise? It looks like counter-rotating or contra-rotating, depending on the axis of rotation, is commonly used

crich70 · 06-02-2012, 06:51 PM

Dare I say this topic has us 'traveling in circles.' lol. Sorry I just couldn't resist.

teh603 · 06-02-2012, 11:42 PM

Turning like the gears in a car's oil pump?

kennyc · 06-03-2012, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crich70

Dare I say this topic has us 'traveling in circles.' lol. Sorry I just couldn't resist.

I don't think there is a single word to describe it but I think I'd just say "spinning(rotating?) in opposite directions."

davidwfleming · 06-09-2012, 01:26 AM

contrariwise?

HarryT · 06-09-2012, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norway1456

Ah, you mean two circular movements at the same time, in opposite direction, without telling which is clockwise and which is counter clockwise? It looks like counter-rotating or contra-rotating, depending on the axis of rotation, is commonly used

Yes, I agree. "Counter-rotating" or "contra-rotating" are the appropriate words.

Lemurion · 06-10-2012, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norway1456

Ah, you mean two circular movements at the same time, in opposite direction, without telling which is clockwise and which is counter clockwise? It looks like counter-rotating or contra-rotating, depending on the axis of rotation, is commonly used

Yep, not just one word, but two. Counter-rotating around separate axes, contra-rotating on the same axis. In the example given by the OP, it appears that counter-rotating would be correct.

Delta Tango · 06-17-2012, 06:02 PM

Coaxial, although it does not strictly mean rotating in different directions, only around the same axis.

BookCat · 06-17-2012, 09:56 PM

As we all knew what you meant in your original "two circles moving in opposite directions", I'd suggest you use exactly that. If you're unaware of the exact term, the likelihood is that a reader will be too. Instead of sending the reader running for the dictionary, keep to simple terms.

HarryT · 06-18-2012, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delta Tango

Coaxial, although it does not strictly mean rotating in different directions, only around the same axis.

So why use it, when it's not the correct word?

VydorScope · 06-18-2012, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BookCat

As we all knew what you meant in your original "two circles moving in opposite directions", I'd suggest you use exactly that. If you're unaware of the exact term, the likelihood is that you're reader will be too. Instead of sending your reader running for the dictionary, keep to simple terms.

This.

Delta Tango · 06-19-2012, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

So why use it, when it's not the correct word?

It is correct, just not unambiguous.

06-01-2012, 03:56 PM	#1
mr ploppy Feral Underclass Posts: 3,622 Karma: 26821535 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Yorkshire, tha noz Device: 2nd hand paperback	What do you call circles moving in the opposite direction? What do you call it when something moves in circles in opposite directions? Like when you draw circles in the air with your fingers, one going clockwise, the other anticlockwise. But just a general word, not a finger-specific one. I was thinking a concentric movement, but that doesn't seem to be right. Counter revolutionary?

06-17-2012, 09:56 PM	#12
BookCat C L J Posts: 2,911 Karma: 21115458 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Device: Sony e-reader 505, Kindle PW2, Kindle PW3, Kobo Libra2	As we all knew what you meant in your original "two circles moving in opposite directions", I'd suggest you use exactly that. If you're unaware of the exact term, the likelihood is that a reader will be too. Instead of sending the reader running for the dictionary, keep to simple terms. Last edited by BookCat; 06-19-2012 at 09:31 PM. Reason: wrong form of your; noticed another one!; far too many yours!!

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06-01-2012, 04:06 PM	#2
Iznogood Guru Posts: 932 Karma: 15752887 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Norway Device: Ipad, kindle paperwhite	clockwise and counter clockwise?

06-01-2012, 04:09 PM	#3
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	I'm thinking counter-rotating. Funny, there should be a simple word for that motion as seen in simple gears, 3-roll-mills, ink rollers, etcetera. If the circles touch they might be considered meshed.

06-01-2012, 04:27 PM	#4
Iznogood Guru Posts: 932 Karma: 15752887 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Norway Device: Ipad, kindle paperwhite	Ah, you mean two circular movements at the same time, in opposite direction, without telling which is clockwise and which is counter clockwise? It looks like counter-rotating or contra-rotating, depending on the axis of rotation, is commonly used

06-02-2012, 06:51 PM	#5
crich70 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,310 Karma: 43993832 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Monroe Wisconsin Device: K3, Kindle Paperwhite, Calibre, and Mobipocket for Pc (netbook)	Dare I say this topic has us 'traveling in circles.' lol. Sorry I just couldn't resist.

06-02-2012, 11:42 PM	#6
teh603 Autism Spectrum Disorder Posts: 1,212 Karma: 6244877 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Coastal Texas Device: Android Phone	Turning like the gears in a car's oil pump?

06-09-2012, 01:26 AM	#8
davidwfleming Ebook Dude Posts: 88 Karma: 5183884 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: Kindle	contrariwise?

06-17-2012, 06:02 PM	#11
Delta Tango Groupie Posts: 161 Karma: 20000 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Device: Onyx Boox	Coaxial, although it does not strictly mean rotating in different directions, only around the same axis.