v.
- move by turning over and over on an axis:
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the car rolled down into a ditch.
▸turn over to face a different direction.
▸(of a moving ship, aircraft, or vehicle) sway on an axis parallel to the direction of motion.
▸N. Amer. informal overturn (a vehicle).
▸throw (a die or dice).
- (with reference to a vehicle or other wheeled object) move along.
▸(of a drop of liquid) flow.
▸(of waves, smoke, cloud, or fog) move or flow forward with an undulating motion.
▸
[usu. as adj. rolling]
(of land) extend in gentle undulations.
▸(of credits for a film or television programme) be displayed as if moving on a roller up the screen.
-
(often roll something up)
turn (something flexible) over and over on itself to form a cylindrical or spherical shape.
▸curl up tightly.
- (with reference to a machine, device, or system) begin operating.
▸(of time) elapse steadily:
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the years rolled by.
▸
[
as adj. rolling]
steady and continuous:
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a rolling programme of reforms.
- flatten (something) by passing a roller over it or by passing it between rollers.
- (of a loud, deep sound) reverberate.
▸pronounce (a consonant, typically an r) with a trill.
▸(of words) flow mellifluously.
- informal rob (a drunk or sleeping person).
n.
- a cylinder formed by rolling flexible material.
▸a cylindrical mass or a number of items arranged in a cylindrical shape.
▸an item of food made by wrapping a flat sheet of pastry, cake, meat, or fish round a filling.
▸N. Amer. & Austral. a quantity of banknotes rolled together.
- a rolling movement.
▸a gymnastic exercise in which the body is rolled into a tucked position and turned in a forward or backward circle.
- a prolonged, deep, reverberating sound.
▸Music one of the basic patterns of drumming, consisting of a sustained, rapid alternation of single or double strokes of each stick.
- a very small loaf of bread.
- a roller used to shape metal in a rolling mill.
- an official list or register of names.
▸the total numbers on such a list.
▸a document, typically an official record, historically kept in scroll form.
Phrase
- a roll in the hay
(or the sack)
informal an act of sexual intercourse. - be rolling in it
(or money)
informal be very rich. - on a roll
informal experiencing a prolonged spell of success or good luck. - roll of honour
a list of people whose deeds are honoured, or who have died in battle. - roll up one's sleeves
prepare to fight or work. - roll with the punches
- (of a boxer) move one's body away from an opponent's blows so as to lessen the impact.
- adapt oneself to adverse circumstances.
- strike someone off the roll
Brit. debar a solicitor from practising as a penalty for dishonesty or other misconduct.
Phrase verbal
- roll something back
reverse the progress or reduce the importance of something. - roll in
informal - be received in large amounts.
- arrive in a casual way in spite of being late.
- roll on
Brit. informal used to indicate that one wants a time or event to come quickly. - roll something out
officially launch a new product. - roll something over
Finance contrive or extend a particular financial arrangement. - roll up
informal arrive. - roll something up
Military drive the flank of an enemy line back and round so that the line is shortened or surrounded.
Derivative
Etymology
ME: from OFr. rolle (n.), roller (v.), from L. rotulus ‘a roll’, var. of rotula ‘little wheel’, dimin. of rota.
