rotate

Definition

To spin, turn, or advance through a sequence—especially when aircraft do that dramatic nose-lift thing right before takeoff that makes your stomach do backflips. Pilots call it rotating; physics calls it defying gravity for a moment; everyone's seatbelts call it showtime.

Example Usage

As the aircraft reached takeoff speed, the captain rotated the nose up, and suddenly we were airborne instead of roadbound.

Source: Aviation terminology

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