revolving-door
UK[rɪˈvɒlvɪŋ dɔː]US[rɪˈvɑːlvɪŋ dɔːr]
adj
describing a situation characterized by a rapid and repeated exchange or movement of people between positions, especially between jobs in government and the private sector.
n
a door consisting of four rigid leaves or panels arranged around a central pivot, designed to rotate within a cylindrical enclosure.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
volv
ing
door
re
again
volv
to roll
ing
present participle
door
barrier
Etymology
The term is a modern compound, first appearing in the late 19th century to describe a specific type of door mechanism. Its core logic is built upon the Latin verb revolvere, meaning "to roll back" or "to turn around", which itself is composed of re- ("back") and volvere ("to roll"). This perfectly describes the door's physical operation. The figurative, adjectival sense emerged in the mid-20th century, primarily in American political and business contexts. It applies the imagery of the constantly turning door to metaphorically depict the cyclical movement of individuals between influential positions in the public and private sectors, implying a potential for conflicts of interest.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + volv (to roll) + ing (present participle) + door (barrier)
- re: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back".
- volv: Latin origin (from volvere, "to roll"), a root indicating a turning or rolling motion.
- ing: Old English origin, a suffix forming the present participle of verbs.
- door: Old English origin (from duru, dor), a noun meaning a movable barrier for opening and closing an entrance.
Examples
The lobbyist's revolving-door career between the Defense Department and major contractors raised ethical questions.
The hotel's main entrance featured a classic brass revolving-door.
Critics argue that the revolving-door policy between the regulatory agency and the industries it oversees undermines its independence.