from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Roll \Roll\, v. i.
1. To move, as a curved object may, along a surface by
rotation without sliding; to revolve upon an axis; to turn
over and over; as, a ball or wheel rolls on the earth; a
body rolls on an inclined plane.
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And her foot, look you, is fixed upon a spherical
stone, which rolls, and rolls, and rolls. --Shak.
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2. To move on wheels; as, the carriage rolls along the
street. "The rolling chair." --Dryden.
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3. To be wound or formed into a cylinder or ball; as, the
cloth rolls unevenly; the snow rolls well.
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4. To fall or tumble; -- with over; as, a stream rolls over a
precipice.
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5. To perform a periodical revolution; to move onward as with
a revolution; as, the rolling year; ages roll away.
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6. To turn; to move circularly.
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And his red eyeballs roll with living fire.
--Dryden.
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7. To move, as waves or billows, with alternate swell and
depression.
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What different sorrows did within thee roll.
--Prior.
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8. To incline first to one side, then to the other; to rock;
as, there is a great difference in ships about rolling; in
a general semse, to be tossed about.
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Twice ten tempestuous nights I rolled. --Pope.
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9. To turn over, or from side to side, while lying down; to
wallow; as, a horse rolls.
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10. To spread under a roller or rolling-pin; as, the paste
rolls well.
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11. To beat a drum with strokes so rapid that they can
scarcely be distinguished by the ear.
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12. To make a loud or heavy rumbling noise; as, the thunder
rolls.
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{To roll about}, to gad abroad. [Obs.]
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Man shall not suffer his wife go roll about.
--Chaucer.
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