rock1
n.
- the hard mineral material of the earth's crust, exposed on the surface or underlying the soil.
▸a mass of this projecting out of the ground or water.
▸
(the Rock)
Gibraltar.
▸a boulder.
▸N. Amer. a stone of any size.
- Geology any natural material with a distinctive mineral composition.
- Brit. a kind of hard confectionery in the form of cylindrical peppermint-flavoured sticks.
- informal a diamond or other precious stone.
- informal a small piece of crack cocaine.
-
(rocks)
vulgar slang a man's testicles.
Phrase
- between a rock and a hard place
informal faced with two equally difficult alternatives. - get one's rocks off
vulgar slang have an orgasm. - on the rocks
informal - experiencing difficulties and likely to fail.
- (of a drink) served undiluted and with ice cubes.
Derivative
- rockless adj.
- rock-like adj.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. rocque, from med. L. rocca.
rock2
v.
- move gently to and fro or from side to side.
▸shake, especially because of an earthquake or explosion.
- cause great shock or distress to.
- informal dance to or play rock music.
- informal (of a place) be exciting or full of social activity.
-
(rock up)
arrive; turn up.
- informal wear (a garment) or affect (an attitude or style), especially in a confident or flamboyant way:
Iverson was rocking a stars and stripes skullcap.
n.
-
(also rock music)
a form of popular music derived from rock and roll and pop music but characterized by a more serious approach.
▸rock and roll.
- a rocking movement.
Etymology
OE roccian, prob. from a Gmc base meaning ‘remove, move’.