- revolution (n.)
- late 14c., originally of celestial bodies, from Old French revolution, from Late Latin revolutionem (nominative revolutio) "a revolving," from Latin revolutus, past participle of revolvere "turn, roll back" (see revolve). General sense of "instance of great change in affairs" is recorded from mid-15c. Political meaning first recorded c.1600, derived from French, and was especially applied to the expulsion of the Stuart dynasty under James II in 1688 and transfer of sovereignty to William and Mary.