. (Firearms) A revolver made according to a system using a patented revolving cylinder, holding six cartridges, patented by Samuel Colt, an American inventor, in 1835. With various modifications, it was for many years been the standard for the United States army. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. That may be revolved. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Revolved p. pr. & vb. n. Revolving. ] [ L. revolvere, revolutum; pref. re- re- + volvere to roll, turn round. See Voluble, and cf. Revolt, revolution. ] 1. To turn or roll round on, or as on, an axis, like a wheel; to rotate, -- which is the more specific word in this sense. [ 1913 Webster ]

If the earth revolve thus, each house near the equator must move a thousand miles an hour. I. Watts. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To move in a curved path round a center; as, the planets revolve round the sun. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To pass in cycles; as, the centuries revolve. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To return; to pass. [ R. ] Ayliffe. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To cause to turn, as on an axis. [ 1913 Webster ]

Then in the east her turn she shines,
Revolved on heaven's great axile. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence, to turn over and over in the mind; to reflect repeatedly upon; to consider all aspects of. [ 1913 Webster ]

This having heard, straight I again revolved
The law and prophets. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Act of revolving. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act or state of revolving; revolution. [ Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Its own revolvency upholds the world. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, revolves; specifically, a firearm ( commonly a pistol) with several chambers or barrels so arranged as to revolve on an axis, and be discharged in succession by the same lock; a repeater. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Making a revolution or revolutions; rotating; -- used also figuratively of time, seasons, etc., depending on the revolution of the earth. [ 1913 Webster ]

But grief returns with the revolving year. Shelley. [ 1913 Webster ]

Revolving seasons, fruitless as they pass. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

Revolving firearm. See Revolver. --
Revolving light, a light or lamp in a lighthouse so arranged as to appear and disappear at fixed intervals, either by being turned about an axis so as to show light only at intervals, or by having its light occasionally intercepted by a revolving screen. [ 1913 Webster ]