- Main Entry:
- 1rock
- Pronunciation:
-
\ˈräk\
- Function:
- verb
- Etymology:
- Middle English rokken, from Old English roccian; akin to Old High German rucken to cause to move
- Date:
- 12th century
transitive verb1: to move back and forth in or as if in a cradle2 a: to cause to sway back and forth <a boat rocked by the waves> b (1): to cause to shake violently (2): to daze with or as if with a vigorous blow <a hard right rocked the contender> (3): to astonish or disturb greatly <the scandal rocked the community>3: to rouse to excitement (as by performing rock music) <rocked the crowd>intransitive verb1: to become moved backward and forward under often violent impact; also : to move gently back and forth2: to move forward at a steady pace; also : to move forward at a high speed <the train rocked through the countryside>3: to sing, dance to, or play rock music4slang : to be extremely enjoyable, pleasing, or effective <her new car rocks>
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rock the boat : to do something that disturbs the equilibrium of a situation
