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Stage 1 of 4
rotare
Latin · ancient
"to roll, turn"
the verb of rolling or turning
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Stage 2 of 4
rouer
French · 1400s
"to break on the wheel (a form of execution)"
developed the grim sense of breaking a condemned man on a wheel
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Stage 3 of 4
roue
French · 1720
"a dissipated man, a rake"
the past participle was applied, half-ironically, to dissolute friends of the Duke of Orleans who 'deserved' such punishment
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Stage 4 of 4
roue
English · 1800
"a debauched man of pleasure"
borrowed for a man devoted to a life of sensual excess
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