pivot

The word "pivot" originated in the 14th century as a French borrowing, initially referring to a shaft or pin on which something turns. It evolved to describe a central point around which action revolves, and later, the action of turning or balancing on a point.1

As a verb, "pivot" means to move in a curved or circular path on an axis, or to turn literally and figuratively. This can also imply a change in direction, such as a company shifting its strategy. In anatomy, a pivot joint allows only rotary movement around a single axis, like the turning of the head or the rotation of the forearm bones. The concept of a pivot is also related to torque, the tendency of a force to cause rotation.2134