/'ɒsɪleɪt; `ɑsl,et/
v
1 [I, Tn] (cause sth to) move repeatedly and regularly from one position to another and back again （使某物）摆动
*A pendulum oscillates. 摆锤能摆动.
2 [I, Ipr] ~ (between sth and sth) (fml fig 文, 比喻) keep moving backwards and forwards between extremes of feeling, behaviour, opinion, etc; waver （感情、行为、想法等）波动, 动摇, 犹豫
*He oscillates between political extremes. 他的政治观点在两个极端之间摇摆不定.
* Manic depressives oscillate between depression and elation. 躁狂抑郁症患者抑郁与躁狂交替发作. Cf 参看 vacillate.
3 [I] (physics 物) (of electrical current, radio waves, etc) change in strength or direction at regular intervals （指电流、无线电波等）振荡, 振动.

v [I]
[Date: 1700-1800; Language: Latin;Origin: , past participle of oscillare 'to swing', from oscillum 'swing']
formal to keep changing between two extreme amounts or limits
　The stock market is oscillating wildly at the moment.
oscillate between
　His income oscillated between £1500 and £2000 a month.
formal to keep changing between one feeling or attitude and another
oscillate between
　Her attitude towards me oscillated between friendship and hostility.
to move backwards and forwards in a regular way
　The needle on the dial began to oscillate.
technical if an electric current oscillates, it changes direction very regularly and very frequently