roll
• verb 1 move by turning over and over on an axis. 2 move forward on wheels or with a smooth, undulating motion. 3 (of a moving ship, aircraft, or vehicle) sway on an axis parallel to the direction of motion. 4 (of a machine or device) begin operating. 5 (often roll up) turn (something flexible) over and over on itself to form a cylindrical or spherical shape. 6 (roll up) curl up tightly. 7 flatten (something) by passing a roller over it or by passing it between rollers. 8 (of a loud, deep sound such as that of thunder) reverberate. 9 pronounce (a consonant, typically an r) with a trill. rolling (of land) extending in gentle undulations. rolling steady and continuous: a rolling programme of reforms. • noun 1 a cylinder formed by rolling flexible material. 2 a rolling movement. 3 a gymnastic exercise in which the body is rolled into a tucked position and turned in a forward or backward circle. 4 a prolonged, deep, reverberating sound. 5 (in drumming) a sustained, rapid alternation of single or double strokes of each stick. 6 a very small loaf of bread. 7 an official list or register of names. 8 a document in scroll form. 9 N. Amer. & Austral. a quantity of banknotes rolled together. — PHRASES 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 in informal 1 be received in large amounts. 2 arrive in a casual way in spite of being late. a rolling stone gathers no moss proverb a person who does not settle in one place will not accumulate wealth or status, or responsibilities or commitments. roll of honour a list of people whose deeds are honoured, especially a list of those who have died in battle. roll out officially launch (a new product). roll over Finance contrive or extend (a financial arrangement). roll up informal arrive. roll up one’s sleeves prepare to fight or work. roll with the punches 1 (of a boxer) move one’s body away from an opponent’s blows so as to lessen the impact. 2 adapt oneself to adverse circumstances. — ORIGIN Old French roller, from Latin rotulus ‘a roll, little wheel’.
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