Main Entry:

²roll

Function:

verb

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French rouler, roller, from roele wheel, rowel & roule roll

Date:

14th century

transitive verb1 a: to impel forward by causing to turn over and over on a surface b: to cause to revolve by turning over and over on or as if on an axis c: to cause to move in a circular manner <they rolled their eyes at the absurdity> d: to form into a mass by turning over and over e: to impel forward with an easy continuous motion f: to cause to move in a given direction by or as if by turning a crank <rolled down the window>2 a: to put a wrapping around : enfold, envelop b: to wrap round on itself : shape into a ball or roll <rolled up the newspaper> ; also : to produce by such shaping <rolled his own cigarettes>3: to press, spread, or level with a roller : make smooth, even, or compact <hulled and rolled oats> <roll paint> —often used with out<rolled out the dough>4 a: to move on rollers or wheels <rolled the patient into the operating room> b: to cause to begin operating or moving <roll the cameras>5 a: to sound with a full reverberating tone <rolled out the words> b: to make a continuous beating sound upon : sound a roll upon <rolled their drums> c: to utter with a trill <rolled his r's> d: to play (a chord) in arpeggio style6: to combine so as to comprise one entity —usually used in the phrase rolled into one<a shopping center, amusement park, and nightclub all rolled into one>7: to rob (a drunk, sleeping, or unconscious person) usually by going through the pockets ; broadly : rob8: bowl 1intransitive verb1 a: to move along a surface by rotation without sliding b (1): to turn over and over <the children rolled in the grass> (2): to luxuriate in an abundant supply : wallow <fairly rolling in money>2 a: to move onward or around as if by completing a revolution : elapse, pass <the months roll on> b: to shift the gaze continually <eyes rolling in terror> c: to revolve on an axis3: to move about : roam, wander4 a: to go forward in an easy, gentle, or undulating manner <the waves rolled in> b: to flow in a continuous stream : pour <money was rolling in> c: to flow as part of a stream of words or sounds <the names roll off your tongue> d: to have an undulating contour <rolling prairie> e: to lie extended : stretch5 a: to travel in a vehicle <rolling north on the highway> b: to become carried on a stream c: to move on wheels6 a: to make a deep reverberating sound <the thunder rolls> b: trill7 a: to swing from side to side <the ship heaved and rolled> b: to walk with a swinging gait : sway8 a: to take the form of a cylinder or ball b: to respond to rolling in a specified way9 a: to get under way : begin to move or operate b: to move forward : develop and maintain impetus <the project finally got rolling> ; especially : to proceed or progress with notable ease or success <the team was rolling>10: to execute a somersault11of a football quarterback : to run toward one flank usually parallel to the line of scrimmage especially before throwing a pass —often used with out

— roll the bones

: to shoot craps

— roll the dice

: to assume a risk by taking action <rolled the dice when they bought those stocks>

— roll with the punches

1: to move so as to lessen the impact of blows2: to adjust to things as they happen