rota
UK[ˈrəʊtə]US[ˈroʊtə]
n
a list of people's names and the times when they are required to do a particular job or duty
n
a system of regularly changing the order in which people do a particular job or duty
Etymology
the word 'rota' entered english in the 17th century, borrowed directly from latin where it meant 'wheel'. the conceptual link is one of cyclical motion and regular succession. just as a wheel turns and brings a point back to its starting position, a rota ensures duties are performed in a recurring, orderly sequence by different individuals. this metaphor of a rotating wheel for a schedule of turns is a clear and enduring example of a concrete object lending its name to an abstract organizational system.
Analysis
this word is a simplex loanword. it is borrowed directly from latin 'rota', meaning 'wheel'. its functional role in english is as a complete noun.
Examples
the nursing staff works on a strict rota.
we've drawn up a new cleaning rota for the kitchen.
his name was next on the rota for weekend duty.